2063. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Social Protection if a rent allowance will be reinstated (details supplied). [62702/26]

The Rent Supplement (RS) 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.

The RS Scheme is not intended to be a long-term payment. The responsibility for the provision of rent support to those with a long-term housing need rests with the local authorities.

Departmental records show that the person concerned applied for RS in February 2024 for the address in which they were residing at that time. Their RS remained in payment until June 2026. The person concerned then submitted a lease for a new address. As RS is address based, their rent supplement closed in June 2026, and person concerned was requested to apply under their new address, and provide information in relation to their social housing application.

I can confirm that the person concerned has now been awarded payment for their new tenancy backdated to 27 June 2026. A letter advising the person concerned of this outcome issued to them in writing on 28/08/2026.

The person concerned is advised to continue to engage with the relevant local authority to address their long-term housing needs.

I trust this clarifies the matter.