Written answers

Thursday, 20 September 2018

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Rent Supplement Scheme Expenditure

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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211. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount spent on rent supplement in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38233/18]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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212. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of recipients on rent supplement in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38234/18]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 211 and 212 together.

Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme supporting approximately 27,400 recipients for which the Government has provided €180 million for in 2018.

End of year statistics for rent supplement recipients and expenditure for the years 2011 to 2017 and for the eight months ending August 2018 are provided in the following tabular statement.

Rent supplement customer numbers have declined significantly since 2011. The strategic initiative of returning rent supplement to its original purpose, that of a short-term income support, facilitated by the introduction of the HAP scheme has been the main driver in rent supplement’s base decline. Other contributory factors include the continuing improvement in the economy leading to fewer people seeking support due to retaining and securing long-term employment allied with more people exiting rent supplement through activation and securing job opportunities.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Rent Supplement: Recipient Numbers & Expenditure 2011 - 2017 and Eight Months Ending August 2018

YearTotal Expenditure - €000Total Recipients
2011502,74796,803
2012422,53687,684
2013372,90979,788
2014338,20871,533
2015311,05961,247
2016275,29448,041
2017231,22134,378
8 Months to August 2018123,06327,378

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