Council tenants’ rent could be taken from social welfare payments under new plans

There are high level of arrears in Dublin, Waterford and Galway, with Dublin city council being owed €38 million alone

Darragh O’Brien, the Minister for Housing, confirmed to Denis Naughten, the independent TD, that a working group was now looking at deducting rents directly from social welfare payments. Picture: Fergal Philips

Council tenants could have their rent taken from their social welfare payments, the Business Post has learned.

While the majority of council tenants pay their rents, there is a high level of arrears in Dublin, Waterford and Galway city. Dublin City Council alone is owed €38 million in rent arrears.

The government has set up a working group to look at deducting rents directly from social welfare payments such as jobseeker’s allowance and jobseeker’s benefit.