John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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1275. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons aged from 18 to 25 years of age who are in receipt of rent supplement. [13428/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Rent supplement continues its important role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme supporting approximately 22,600 recipients for which the Government has provided €132.4 million for 2019.

The total number of recipients of those not yet 26 years of age (aged 18 to 25 years of age) is 556, which is approximately 2.5% of the total number of rent supplement recipients currently in receipt of support.

Since January 2017, young people who are on age-related-reduced benefits pay less towards the cost of their rent supplement. The minimum personal contribution of young people from 18 to 24 years receiving age-related-reduced social welfare support is €10 per week, and for those who are 25 years of age, €20 per week. There are also reduced rent supplement minimum contributions expected for couple categories receiving age-related-reduced social welfare support. For all other categories, i.e., those not receiving age-related-reduced social welfare payments, single persons are required to provide €30 weekly minimum contribution towards their accommodation and €40 for couple categories.

Rent Supplement continues its withdrawal from the provision of long term housing within the private rented sector. The aim of the “Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness (July 2016), reiterated in the “Housing First National Implementation Plan 2018-2021” (September 2018), is to provide 87,000 flexible housing supports through the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and Rental Accommodation Scheme between 2016 and 2021.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.