Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
and the scheme is designed in particular to respond to the needs of people who have hitherto
sought to avail of exemptions in order to take up employment opportunities. There are no
limitations applied in relation to the number of hours a person may work, or the level of
earnings they may secure, under the new scheme.
Social Welfare Benefits
366. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Social Protection further to
Parliamentary Question No. 353 of 31 January 2012 referring to rent supplement recipients
who are forced to secure alternative accommodation, the period of time that they will be given
to do so; if they will continue to receive their rent allowance at the existing rate while they do
so; if she will release the analysis carried out by her Department in rental prices for Bray, and
on County Wicklow overall; if she will consider also excluding the towns of Greystones,
Kilcoole, Delgany and Newtownmountkennedy, where rent is similar to that in Bray; and if
not the reason therefore. [8477/12]
Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Joan Burton): As existing claims come up for review
or when an existing lease expires, they will be reassessed using the new limits. Where a claim
is under review and the rent is above the new maximum limit the customer is being asked to
contact the landlord to renegotiate the rent. Where a landlord does not agree to reduce the
rent to the new rates departmental officials will discuss the options open to the tenant up to
and including seeking alternative accommodation. It is accepted that in limited circumstances
rent supplement recipients may be forced to secure alternative accommodation.
Departmental guidance to the officers administering rent supplement states that where negotiation
with the landlord fails then rent supplement may continue to be paid for a period of up
to thirteen weeks at the higher rate. However, once the lease has expired the tenant will be
expected to find suitable accommodation at below the new limits in force. Department officials
will continue to ensure that rent supplement recipients’ accommodation needs are met. There
will be no incidence of homelessness due to these changes. I can confirm to the Deputy that
the rent limits review report has now been published and is available from the Department’s
website.
The Deputy will note from this report that the Department is committed to carrying out a
specific review of the rent limits for Bray. As previously advised, officials in the Department
are in the process of completing this review and, if it is found necessary, maximum rent limits
specific to Bray will be established. My Department will also consider Greystones, Kilcoole,
Delgany and Newtownmountkennedy; however it is important to bear in mind that the purpose
of the review is to ensure availability of accommodation for rent supplement tenancies, not to
provide rent supplement tenants with access to all housing in all areas.
Environmental Policy
367. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his
plans regarding carrying out a humane seal cull similar to the Canadian initiative in view of
the increase in the numbers. [8310/12]
Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Jimmy Deenihan): There are two
species of seals in Irish waters — the harbour or common seal and the more numerous grey
seal. While seals are protected under the Wildlife Acts, licences may be obtained under section
42 of the Wildlife Act to hunt seals where damage is being caused. Licences are issued in
response to specific applications and each application is considered on its merits. This redress is
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