Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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451. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will reconsider a decision in respect of eligibility for the disability allowance in cases in which the medical criteria are clearly qualifying the applicant and in which the financial means test as currently applied is using the capital value as opposed to the rental income from a second property to disqualify the applicant in view of the accounts (details supplied) that were approved by accountants and submitted to the Revenue Commissioners; if she will review this case given the circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53040/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I wish to acknowledge receipt of accounts for the year 2021 for the person concerned.

The additional information received in the form of the accounts for 2021 would not change the decision that was made in relation to the means assessed for the person concerned

The decision was made in line with current legislation in relation to assessing second properties which are assessed on the capital value of the property, not with the income from the letting of this property

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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452. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if rent allowance is being paid to persons who live in mobile homes; if not, the reason for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53050/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Rent supplement continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation, with the scheme providing support to 10,118 recipients at the end of September 2022.

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 those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment or income, can continue to meet their rental commitments.

Social welfare legislation is specific in relation to the type of residence for which a rent supplement may be provided under statutory Instrument No. 412 of 2007 and requires a bona fide tenancy agreement under section 198 (3FA) Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005.

The Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented sector, including tenancies in AHB’s and co-living dwellings, and set out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. Under Section 4(1) of this Act the definition of a “dwelling excludes a structure that is not permanently attached to the ground and a vessel and a vehicle (whether mobile or not)."

It is the Department’s view that a mobile home is excluded from the definition of a building or a dwelling and as such it is not possible to pay rent supplement in respect of such a structure.

Information on the type of residence of rent supplement recipients is not collated.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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453. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of supplementary welfare allowance applications that have been made since 1 May 2022 to date; the number that have been approved, refused and still awaiting a decision by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53067/22]