77 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person evicted from a local authority house can be considered for rent allowance; the way this can be achieved since they are banned from applying for local authority housing; if arrangements can be made since they are in private rented housing for seven months at their own expense; and if they can receive rent allowance. [46794/10]

Social Welfare legislation provides the Health Service Executive (HSE) with the authority to refuse, suspend or terminate payment of a rent supplement in the case of a person who has been required to deliver up possession of a dwelling provided by a housing authority or an approved body where the reasons for that requirement include anti-social behaviour or the interests of good estate management.

It is a matter for the HSE to make this decision in relation to individual cases.