Numbers getting HSE help with rent spirals

THE number of people receiving HSE rent supplement payments in Limerick city and county has spiralled from 1,800 to 3,800 in the past two years.

On average, 20 applications for HSE supports were received weekly in 2008 but that has now topped 60 — and rising steadily.

Job losses in Dell and related supply companies were a major factor, according to the HSE.