by Alan Jacques
ONLY six Limerick applicants have been allowed an increase in their social welfare rent supplements this year, compared to 283 in Tipperary.
This is despite reports that Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) have been instructed to show leniency to people who cannot find accommodation below the rent supplement allowed by the Department of Social Protection.
Limerick Fianna Fáil TD Willie O’Dea, who is the party’s spokesman on Social Protection told the Limerick Post that he secured confirmation that the Minister had been in touch with the regional manager to stress the need for flexibility in relation to rent caps in Limerick.
“The rent caps in Limerick are completely unrealistic and I believed that since last December, Limerick people would see a change in approach from welfare officers.
“According to a commitment I received from the Minister, CWOs in Limerick were to show flexibility. However, the latest figures show that only six applicants were successful in having the rent cap increased as opposed to 2,642 in Dublin and 283 in Tipperary.”
Property website Daft.ie reports that rents in Limerick have increased by 8.9 per cent this year. Deputy O’Dea said that the rent cap for a married couple in Limerick is €400 a month and €500 for a married couple with a child.
“There is no place in Limerick City suitable for a married couple and a child available for €500 a month as €800 is the market average.
“It’s extremely disappointing that nothing has changed in Limerick in the past year despite the Ministers ‘directive’. I am calling on her to directly intervene in the situation which is now at crisis level.”
A statement from the Department of Social Protection explained that the rent supplement scheme supports 63,800 people at cost of €298 million in 2015, with around 1,700 recipients in Limerick.
“A range of measures has been implemented under the Rent Supplement scheme to help households retain their accommodation. Increased rental payments are being made to 40 Limerick householders who have specific accommodation requirements, such as accommodation needs as a result of a disability.
“The Limerick Community Welfare Service works closely with the local authority and interest groups to provide a consistent and speedy service to those in danger of losing their tenancy.
“It is not appropriate to compare the position in Limerick with other areas as the new Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) has been in place Limerick since March 2014. There are currently 840 HAP tenancies in Limerick, of which 420 transferred from Rent Supplement and the others are new applicants.
“Anyone in receipt of rent supplement and at risk of losing their tenancy in Limerick should contact the Community Welfare Service without delay”, the statement concluded.
