Rent Supplement for those in rented accomodation in Clare could be cut as average prices have fallen in the last year.
The latest DAFT.ie figures reveal the average price for a residential property in Clare costs 577 per month – the figure is down 3.4% of figures for 2010.
In Limerick City the average rent is 673 euro, down 2.4% and in Galway city it’s 747 euro down 1.2%.
Commenting on the falling rent prices, Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton said the figures show the importance of reviewing rent supplment, the welfare provision for those who are unemployed and renting their homes.
The number of people claiming rent supplement has risen by 61% in the last 6 years to 96,800 with more than half of those receiving the payment for more than 18months, despite the governments intention that it would be a short term measure.
