Calls to increase rent supplement 'fallen on deaf ears' says Fr Peter McVerry
Fr Peter McVerry has said the Department of Social and Family Affairs has constantly ignored calls to increase the rent supplement.
During the first live leaders debate last night, Tanaiste Joan Burton said Fr McVerry did not understand the workings of the department.
He works with homeless people in Dublin and campaigns for their rights.
Fr McVerry has said he understands the workings of the department, but it continues to ignore calls for what he feels will be a solution to the lack of affordable rental accommodation: “Have all been calling for the last two years for an increase in rent supplement, to avoid families being evicted from the private rental sector.
“And it has fallen on deaf ears.
“Now there is a scheme whereby an individual family can apply to the Department and that is what the minister was referring to, but the majority of families that we encounter never even heard of that scheme.”
