Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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250. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if care will be taken to ensure that during the course of the review of all rent supplement cases in counties Kildare and Wicklow cognisance will be taken of the precarious housing situation that exists in the area and that a cut-off will lead to homelessness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40541/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme currently supporting some 26,500 recipients nationally at a cost of €180 million in 2018.

In recognition of the on-going rental market difficulties, my Department continues to implement a targeted case-by-case policy approach in the administration of rent supplement in particular when dealing with applicants who are at risk of losing their tenancy due to their landlord seeking rent in excess of the prevailing rent limit.

A breakdown by county of the total number of Rent Supplement recipients in Kildare and Wicklow receiving support where rents are in excess of the prescribed rent limits as at 1st October 2018 is provided in the following tabular statement.

Department officials at local level are actively engaged with relevant local authorities, Homeless Action Teams, regional teams and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the necessary supports are provided and cases where a threat of losing a tenancy or potential homelessness are prioritised accordingly.

Total Increased Rental Payments by County as at 01 October 2018

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.