FG: People on rent allowance should ask landlord for reduction

PEOPLE in receipt of rent allowance must be urged to get a better deal from landlords in order to bring down the artificially inflated bill for the taxpayer, Fine Gael spokeswoman on Social and Family Affairs Olwyn Enright has said.

Rent supplement was paid to more than 74,000 people last year — an increase of more than 15,000 on the previous year.

More than a third of those claiming it are from outside the State.