In 2008, rent allowance in Limerick city and county cost €20 million, with more than 3,000 tenants assisted.
Concerns have been raised across the city about antisocial behaviour relating to housing let under the social welfare rent allowance.
A recent meeting held in the Caherdavin area was attended by over 250 people.
One resident told the Limerick Post:
“Some landlords are not taking responsibility for problems with rent supplement tenants”.
Concerns were raised about alleged inadequate vetting of tenants.
Deputy O’Donnell wants these issues addressed.
“The majority of those on rent supplement are decent people but there is a minority engaged in anti-social behaviour.
“Under the Rental Accommodation Scheme, the landlord has to be registered with the PRTB, and Garda clearance is required. Neither are required under the Rent Supplement Scheme”.
He expressed confidence that if an agreement was in place between the landlord and the local authority, anti-social behaviour would be curbed.
“In rent supplement the tenant makes a formal agreement with the landlord, there is no agreement between the landlord and the local authority”.
He said the solution is to bring the rent supplement scheme in line with the RAS.
“This would give credibility to those in receipt of rent supplement and give reassurances to their neighbours”.
At present, the scheme is financed by the Department of Social Protection, and recipients are assessed by the HSE’s Community Welfare Officer.
“Originally it was supposed to be a temporary scheme, but because of the large number of people on rent supplement, it has become permanent in nature”.
Responding to a parliamentary question from Kieran O’Donnell, Minister Eamonn O’Cuiv, replied:
“Social welfare legislation provides the Health Service Executive 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 for reasons that include anti-social behaviour or the interests of good estate management”.