Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 February 2026
199. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the rental accommodation scheme (RAS) has no national rent thresholds despite its central role in housing long-term rent supplement recipients; the absence of updated, standardised rent caps within RAS schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10552/26]
View answerThe Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS)is a local authority (LA) administered long-term social housing support primarily targeted at households who have been in receipt of Rent Supplement for 18 months or longer and who have been assessed as having an ongoing housing need.
RAS operates through two distinct delivery strands: (i) Private RAS and (ii) Approved Housing Body (AHB) RAS (often referred to as CAS RAS).
Under Private RAS, LAs secure accommodation from private landlords, while under AHB RAS, LAs arrange tenancies with AHBs on behalf of eligible households.
RAS does not operate on the basis of nationally prescribed rent thresholds. Responsibility for the operation and administration of RAS rests with each local authority, including the sourcing of accommodation and the agreement of rents with accommodation providers. Rents in Private RAS are therefore determined at local level, having regard to local market conditions, the type and location of accommodation, value for money considerations, and the need to secure and sustain long-term accommodation for households with an assessed housing need. Private RAS rents are generally agreed at 92% of the prevailing local market rent, reflecting the long-term nature of the arrangements and the security of payment provided under the scheme. This locally administered approach allows LAs to respond flexibly to differing rental markets across the country.
Under AHB RAS (CAS RAS) rents are not based on market rent but on a cost-recovery "economic rent" model which reflects the ongoing cost of managing and maintaining the accommodation. This economic rent is met by two components: (i) A tenant contribution generally assessed under the LAs Differential Rent scheme; and (ii) A weekly subsidy paid by the LA to the AHB (and recouped to the LA by my Department). This weekly subsidy amount is subject to a maximum of €55 per week for a single person, and €60 per week for a couple.
My Department completed a comprehensive ‘Review of the Future of the Rental Accommodation Scheme’, published in January 2025, following extensive consultation with all 31 local authorities, AHBs and other stakeholders. The review confirmed that RAS continues to play an important role in the suite of social housing supports and suggested modifications to ensure its effectiveness and expansion. The proposed changes aim to encourage the retention of private landlords in RAS, to continue to ensure housing quality, and provide more immediate access to housing for vulnerable households.
