538. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Social Protection for assistance in relation to a rent supplement case (details supplied). [73344/25]

The Rent Supplement 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 for those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment, can continue to meet their rental commitments.

Supports from this Department are not intended to cover circumstances where another Government Department or Agency has the primary responsibility. The responsibility for the provision of rent support to those with a long-term housing need has transferred from the Department of Social Protection to the local authorities. Persons with a long-term housing need should contact their local authority where information is available regarding suitable housing supports including the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).

The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014, provides for a range of changes to the framework of social housing support, including the introduction of housing assistance payments. This was introduced to bring together all long-term social housing supports provided by the State under the local authority system. Among the implications of these provisions was the discontinuation of the payment of Rent Supplement, in the case of persons with long-term housing needs, who have been determined to be qualified for social housing support under a social housing assessment as carried out by a housing authority.

Existing recipients of Rent Supplement who have been in receipt of the Supplement for a minimum period that is prescribed are required to apply for a social housing assessment (including suitability for the housing assistance payment) and provide confirmation of such application. This is provided for under Section 198(3G)(a)(iii) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005, as inserted by Section 54(3) of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014. Where such confirmation is not received within a reasonable period, Rent Supplement will be discontinued.

According to Departmental records, the person concerned has been in receipt of Rent Supplement since 2012. As the responsibility for the provision of rent support to those with a long-term housing need has transferred from the Department to the Local Authorities, the person concerned was contacted by my department on the 17/06/2025 and advised that they must now apply for a Housing Needs Assessment through their Local Authority, which is the more appropriate payment for their housing needs.

The person concerned was advised that if they failed to submit proof of application for a Housing Needs Assessment by end of July 2025, their rent would be suspended and that no payment for rent would issue for August 2025. This was followed up with contact on 17/06/2025, reiterating the requirements.

A further letter issued to the person concerned on 18/08/2025. In this letter they were advised again that their rent claim would close if the documentation required was not returned. Regretfully, as the information requested was not returned, the Rent Supplement claim for the person concerned was subsequently closed due to the failure to provide the information requested.

If the person concerned submits proof that they have made an application for a Housing Needs Assessment, their claim can be reviewed and reopened again. The person concerned does not need to have a the Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) completed at this time, but they must submit proof of a completed HNA application to the Local Authority (LA) and continue to engage with LA on their assessment.

If the person concerned is at risk of homelessness, it is recommended that they contact the homeless HAP section in their local council in the first instance who will be able to offer advice in relation to their supports.

I trust this clarifies the matter.