‘Urgent need’ in budget to raise rent supplement

Rent supplements must be increased as a matter of urgency in Budget 2016, the Simon Communities have said.

The call came as the Simon Communities launched their second report into the rental property market, revealing that 92% of properties were beyond the means of those on rent supplements.

The three-day snapshot study tracked rental properties falling within rent supplement and housing assistance payment limits in 11 areas including Cork City centre, Dublin City centre, Galway City centre, Kildare, Sligo town and Leitrim.