Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin (Wicklow-Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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350. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of people who have accessed the rent supplement for victims of domestic violence in counties Wicklow and Wexford in the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23001/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The accommodation needs of victims of domestic violence are met through a joined-up service delivery model provided by Tusla with the close involvement of the various housing authorities nationwide.

Access to Rent Supplement can be provided on referral by Tusla or by prescribed Tusla-funded service providers. This provides victims of domestic violence with a fast-track approval and screening process with a simplified means test to get immediate access to Rent Supplement so that they are not prevented from leaving their home because of financial concerns.

The standard Rent Supplement means test does not apply to these applicants for an initial three-month period. After three months, a further three-month extension may be provided, subject to the usual Rent Supplement means assessment.

After six months, if the tenant has a long-term housing need, they can apply to their local housing authority for social housing supports and, if eligible, will be able to access the Housing Assistance Payment, a social housing support provided by Local Authorities.

Access to Rent Supplement is additional and complementary to the range of other supports already in place for victims of domestic violence.

In the period since August 2020 to end of April 2025, 413 victims of domestic violence have been supported with Rent Supplement under the protocol.

Table 1 shows the total number who accessed Rent Supplement support under the domestic violence protocol in counties Wicklow and Wexford, from August 2020 to end of April 2025.

Table 1 - The total numbers who accessed Rent Supplement support under the domestic violence protocol in Wicklow and Wexford, from August 2020 to end of April 2025.