Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 656 and 680 to 682, inclusive, together.

Rent supplement continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation, with the scheme currently supporting approximately 21,150 recipients.

The scheme provides short-term income support, to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The scheme ensures that for those who were renting, and due to temporary loss of employment, can continue to meet their rental commitments.

Since the introduction of the Government’s Covid emergency response approximately 6,700 customers have been provided rent supplement support; in addition, there are currently, approximately, 1,600 pending applications awaiting a decision or in the process of providing the necessary documentation to the officer dealing with the claim. Statistics in relation to overall approval/refusal rates in relation to the Scheme are not currently available.

The Department’s response to this emergency, ensuring that the inherent flexibility of the rent supplement is available, has been extended to 19 June 2020 and is being reviewed in the context of the Government’s continued response to the Covid emergency. The Department has put in place specific measures to ensure that there are no undue delays in processing applications despite the large number of new cases received over a relatively short timeframe. This included a redesigned 5 page application form and ensuring resources were in place for areas with expected high levels of demand. The standard time for applications to be processed is 2/3 working days. The quick turnaround of applications received ensures customers do not experience arrears build ups, officers attempt to ensure that a person's rental obligations are met in full.

The cases that are currently in payment and awarded from the 13 March 2020 by county, along with cases currently pending a decision (or documentation still outstanding) are provided in the attached tabular statement.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Table 1: Rent Supplement Awards Post 13th March & Pending Claims as at 2^ndJune 2020