Homeless people are being refused rent supplements following social welfare cutbacks which came into effect last January, a study published today reveals.
The report, commissioned by Dublin Citizens Information Service and the homelessness agency CentreCare, says new rules intended to reform the rent supplement scheme are creating crises through new eligibilty requirements.
The report's author, Mr Brendon Buck of the Dublin Institute of Technology, said in the report that the new rules are "a challenge to the fundamental premise upon which a welfare system is built".
"Removing eligibility to the only welfare scheme available which can help people on low incomes to afford housing, without providing any alternative, is not reform," he said.
The report acknowledges the need for change to a system intended to alleviate short-term housing problems but says says greater housing supply us needed to prevent those in need being denied assistance.
Among those refused the supplement, according the report, are:
- homeless people and those at risk of homelessness
- individuals in vulnerable housing circumstances
- people with incomes just cents above the eligibility threshold
- those in need of short-term help during a crisis
Ms Yvonne Fleming, co-ordinator of CentreCare said the intention of the changes was to refocus the supplement as an emergency income-support measure. "But we're seeing the impact on the ground and it is not acting as a safety net for some people," she said.
Today's report contradicts findings published last Friday which said the changes to the scheme "are not having any significant, adverse impacts".
The report, by a working group chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach was established under the Sustaining Progress partnership agreement to investigate the changes.
The restrictions were introduced as part of €58 million in cost-savings announced in November 2003 by the Minister for Social Community and Family Affairs, Ms Coughlan.
The cuts - "dubbed the savage 16" - were widely criticised and the restrictions imposed on widows pensions were later rescinded following severe criticism from Opposition parties and the voluntary sector.