Tenants warned rent supplement may be cut to preserve social welfare

As landlords and tenants heap criticism upon the Government for its latest cap on rent supplements, opposition party politicians have warned the payment could be cut again in this year’s budget if social welfare payments are to be preserved.

The National Organisation of the Unemployed has said the third cut in rent allowance in four years has created “huge uncertainty” among those on social welfare as many are being forced to move out if their landlord won’t accept a cut in rent. Rent supplement has been cut in 2008, 2010, and 2012.

Sinn Féin Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh said when these people are forced to move on, they find it “increasingly difficult to actually find houses and apartments that are being rented at this rate”.