In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in finding ways to provide social welfare recipients with the opportunity to earn more income without losing their state benefits. One of the measures implemented to achieve this is the Rent Supplement Scheme, which allows tenants to supplement their rental payments through social welfare. Initially capped at €4,000 per year, the scheme was extended in recent years, allowing recipients to earn up to €14,000 a year. In this article, we’ll explore the implications of the extension of the Rent Supplement Scheme and what it means for those on social welfare.
The Irish government is extending measures to allow social welfare recipients to earn up to €14k a year in rent while pledging to put in place a “safety net” for renters as it stands firm on lifting the eviction ban. Meanwhile, nursing home residents will keep all the income from renting out their property under the Fair Deal scheme. Additionally, county councils of Carlow and Kilkenny are to buy houses to prevent tenants from being evicted as the cabinet agrees new measures to deal with the housing crisis.
The measure to allow social welfare recipients to earn up to €14k a year in rent has been extended. This measure was introduced last year as part of a package of measures aimed at promoting greater affordability and flexibility in the rental market for those in receipt of social welfare payments. The measure was introduced to help people on low incomes to afford a place to live, with the aim of enabling them to move out of emergency accommodation and into more stable, long-term rental properties.
The government is standing firm on lifting the eviction ban, despite calls by opposition parties and housing rights campaigners to extend it. The ban was introduced as a temporary measure in response to the Covid-19 pandemic to prevent people from becoming homeless during a time of great economic uncertainty. The ban has been extended several times, most recently until July 20, 2021. However, there are concerns that the lifting of the ban will lead to a surge in evictions and homelessness, particularly among people who have lost their jobs or who are struggling to pay their rent due to financial difficulties.
Under the Fair Deal scheme, nursing home residents will now be able to keep all the income from renting out their property. This is a significant change to the existing rules, which require residents to contribute 80% of their rental income towards their care costs. The change will allow nursing home residents to keep more of their income, which will in turn help them to maintain their quality of life and independence.
County councils of Carlow and Kilkenny are also taking steps to prevent tenants from being evicted. The councils are planning to buy houses to provide long-term, secure homes for people who might otherwise be at risk of losing their housing. The move is in response to concerns about the shortage of affordable housing in the area, and the high number of people who are struggling to find a suitable place to live.
Finally, the cabinet has agreed on new measures to deal with the housing crisis. The measures include increasing the supply of affordable housing, easing planning restrictions on new developments, and providing greater support to those in need of emergency accommodation. The government has acknowledged that the housing crisis is a major challenge facing the country, and has pledged to take action to address the issue. While there is no quick fix to the problem, these measures represent a step in the right direction towards creating a more secure and stable housing market for all.
