Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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450. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of domestic violence survivors who have availed of rent supplement since the policy decision was made. [62672/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In August 2020, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, I agreed to make rent supplement more accessible to victims of domestic violence. This has ensured that they are not prevented from leaving their homes because of financial or accommodation difficulties.

Since this Protocol came into operation in August 2020, 164 victims of domestic violence have received support under the rent supplement scheme.

Following a review involving all key stakeholders, I have ensured that victims of domestic violence will be granted easier access to rent supplement on a permanent basis. This means that they can continue to get immediate access to rent supplement and are not prevented from leaving their home because of financial concerns.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.