Cost of Living Issues
Dail Éireann — 2026-01-15
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Dara Calleary (FF), Mayo

In relation to rent, the Department of Social Protection rent supplement as it exists today is seen as a short-term support paid to families and individuals as an initial payment where they first encounter difficulties in meeting rent costs. Longer-term support is given through the housing assistance payment. The rent limits applied on rent supplement are aligned with those on the housing assistance payment. Expenditure for rent supplement paid by the Department of Social Protection in 2025 is provisionally estimated at just over €52.2 million, which compares with the 2026 estimate of over €570 million for HAP and the rental accommodation scheme within the Vote of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. A review of rent limits is a matter on which my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, is taking the lead. Officials from my Department are working on that review. Any changes to the rent supplement payments will then be aligned to the outcome of the housing assistance payment review.
Various arrangements and flexibilities are in place in relation to rent supplement payments, with higher rent supplement payments that are payable in certain circumstances. For instance, my Department, in conjunction with Threshold, has a special protocol in Dublin, Cork, Kildare, Galway, Meath and Wicklow. Threshold advises, advocates and intervenes on behalf of families or individuals in receipt of rent supplement who are in danger of losing tenancies. We also have a protocol with the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive and with Cuan to assist people fleeing domestic violence.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-01-15/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:30+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-01-15