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______________________________________________
For Written Answer on : 04/07/2023
Question Number(s): 407 Question Reference(s): 32832/23
Department: Social Protection
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
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QUESTION


To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of payments currently being made under the rent supplement scheme; the total cost per week; the total amount paid out under this scheme in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

Rent supplement continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation, with the scheme supporting 8,861 active recipients at the end of May 2023.

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.

Rent supplement weekly expenditure is not maintained; however a tabular statement providing the total expenditure and number of recipients at the end of December for the years: 2021 and 2022; and for the five months to the end of May 2023 is provided.

Tabular Statement 1 – Rent Supplement Recipients and Expenditure Figures  

YearRecipientsExpenditure
202113,401 (end December)€123m
2022  9,731 (end December) €75.1m
5 Months to end May 2023  8,861 (end May) €26.6m


I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.