Dáil committee told welfare officers are helping thousands by providing rent advances

Department of Social Protection officials came under fire when they told a Dáil committee community welfare officers are helping thousands of distressed tenants by providing rent advances and help with deposits.

Helen Faughnan, assistant secretary at the Department of Social Welfare, told the Housing and Homelessness Committee that €1.48m had been handed out in deposit assistance and rent advances with an average of €590 paid.

Ms Faughnan also urged tenants to contact them if they are asked to pay “top-ups” by landlords on top of rent supplement or rental accommodation scheme and said “not to be scared” as they would not be penalised.