Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1238. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason rent support is not being paid in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36130/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The purpose of Rent Supplement is to assist with reasonable accommodation costs of eligible persons living in private rented accommodation, where they are unable to provide for their accommodation costs from their own resources and do not have accommodation available to them from any other source.

The person concerned was in receipt of rent supplement since 10/01/2017 at the monthly rate of €682.31 with a total of €10,311.50 paid to date.  On 26/06/2018, written notification of a claim review was issued to the person concerned.  The person concerned was advised that her claim was suspended and may be closed if she failed to return the requested documents within 14 days of the date of the letter.  On 25/07/2018, the claim was closed as the person concerned failed to make contact with the rents unit or to supply any of the requested documents in support of her claim.  Written notification of the claim closure issued to the person concerned together with a new application pack should the person concerned wish to make another claim.

The person concerned should fully complete the SWARS1 and return with the required supporting documentation.  If the person concerned wishes to pursue an application for Rent Supplement and has further queries, she can contact the South Kildare West Wicklow Rents Unit at telephone No. 01-6732155, by post at Rents Unit, PO Box 1107, Newbridge, Co. Kildare or by email at RentsSouthKildare@wefare.ie.

Due to the imminent threat of homelessness, the person concerned can contact Kildare County Council to have her long term housing needs assessed as a matter of urgency.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.