10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of the maximum rent supplement payment; and whether he will review these maximum limits. [2903/26]

Sentiment score: 0.00

The maximum limits on rent supplement have not been reviewed for years, as far as I know. They are ridiculously low compared to where rents have gone. For example, if a couple or a single parent on rent supplement has three children, you cannot rent a place in Dublin for more than €1,300. Now, there is no such thing as a rent of €1,300 for a family home of that size in Dublin. These limits are crazy and they have to be reviewed upwards. I will give more examples of situations in my supplementary contribution.

Sentiment score: -0.20

What is that figure again?

Sentiment score: 0.00

Yes. I know there is some flexibility and discretion, so I accept that. The maximum limits as set down by the Department, though, have not been adjusted for years and they are completely out of line with where rents are actually at. I have had cases where it has been true that, eventually, after some difficulty, anxiety and concern for people, you sometimes get them sorted. I take the point that most people have moved onto HAP. These temporary, emergency, special or exceptional needs payments, where for one reason or another people are not on HAP, are very important to the people who get them. They should not, though, be the starting point in a context where the limits do not make any sense. They need to be reviewed. At the moment, they are almost meaningless. This is the case in Dublin, Kildare, the commuter areas and so on. These limits have to be reviewed upwards, even if it is a relatively small number, as the Minister has outlined. A figure of €52 million still means a lot of people are getting it, so these limits need to be reviewed upwards.

Sentiment score: 0.08

I appreciate that response from the Minister and I accept it. These payments come under exceptional needs, essentially. If I might take the opportunity in my second supplementary contribution to raise another issue under exceptional needs, albeit under the same sort of general heading, there is the moving-in payment for people when they are allocated a house. There is a problem with that. I will give an example. Katie and her family got an allocation due to a transfer from a terrible situation just before Christmas, but she cannot apply for the moving in allowance. She is delighted about her new place and just moved in yesterday, but all that was in the house was two mattresses and a fridge. That is where she, her kids and her partner had to sleep. You cannot apply for the moving in allowance until you get your keys, even though she was allocated the house before Christmas. That does not make sense. That is just one example. As soon as you can confirm you have a place to move into and you are eligible for the moving in allowance, you should be able to get it there and then and not have to wait until you are in with the keys, which means either you have to continue to stay in your old place and pay two rents, which happens to some people, or, for weeks, you and your kids are going around with no carpets, no fridge and no this, that or the other. By the way, the heating was not working when she moved in either.

Sentiment score: -0.00

When will that be?

Sentiment score: 0.00