Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
850. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 545 of 18 December 2025, if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11913/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to your Parliamentary Question in relation to an application received for Rent Supplement under the Domestic Violence Protocol and a subsequent application for an Additional Needs Payment.
The Domestic Violence Protocol between my Department and Cuan has been established to enhance the services provided to victims of domestic violence, and to assist with their potential long term housing needs.
The primary objective of this protocol is to ensure a dedicated intervention is in place to assist victims of domestic violence to access accommodation in the private rental sector. It provides victims of domestic violence with a fast-track approval and screening process, with a simplified means test to access Rent Supplement for an initial three-month period. This allows the person time to apply for a Housing Needs Assessment with the Local Authority. Once they have completed a Housing Needs Assessment, they can apply for HAP for their long-term housing needs.
This protocol also provides for a further three-month extension subject to meeting eligibility conditions including a means test.
At the end of the six-month period, if Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) has not yet been awarded, Rent Supplement can be assessed under the normal Rent Supplement rules and means assessment.
According to the records of this Department, the person concerned submitted an application for Rent Supplement under the Domestic Violence Protocol on 14/07/2025. This application was awarded for an initial three-month period and a letter advising the person of this outcome issued to them on 22/07/2025.
On reviewing the person’s claim for the additional three-month stage of the Domestic Violence Rent Supplement, they were disallowed on the basis that they were working full-time, and did not meet the means eligibility conditions. While a person's means are not assessed for the first three months, they are for the second three months, as was outlined in the response to the previous Parliamentary Question 545. The person was informed of this outcome in writing on 22/08/2025 and afforded the opportunity to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office, if they so wish. To date, no request for an appeal has been received.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, the Department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to help meet essential expenditure which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income or household and personal resources. This support is intended to assist with once-off or exceptional expenses that a person is unable to meet from their normal weekly income. ANPs are administered by Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) in the Community Welfare Service (CWS), considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case. All applications are considered on a case-by-case basis based on the need presenting. This entails an assessment, as opposed to a specific means test, of an applicant’s weekly household income, their savings and investments, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed.
Departmental records show that the person concerned applied for an ANP on 16/01/2026 for assistance with the cost of rent arrears. A request for further information in support of the person’s application issued to them on 20/01/2026, 26/01/2026 and 03/02/2026. I have arranged for an official to follow up with the person concerned on the outstanding documentation, in order to progress the application.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
