Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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368. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will consider making rent supplement available to people living in accommodation provided by voluntary housing bodies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67551/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Rent Supplement continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation, with the scheme supporting 6,124 active recipients at the end of October 2025. The purpose of Rent Supplement is to provide short-term 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.

Broader responsibility for housing related issues rests with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Rent Supplement is not intended to cover circumstances where responsibility rests with another Government Department or Agency. The overall aim of Rent Supplement is to provide short term assistance, and not to act as an alternative or extension to other housing supports operated by the Exchequer.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.