The Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) 

The Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) is an initiative by the Government to cater for the accommodation needs of certain persons in receipt of rent supplement, normally for more than 18 months and who are assessed as having a long-term housing need. RAS is a collaborative project between the Department, local authorities, the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the Health Service Executive Community Welfare Service.

One of the main features of the scheme is that local authorities in sourcing accommodation for these households make use of the private and voluntary sector and enter into contractual arrangements to secure medium to long-term availability of rented accommodation.

The General Way RAS Works

• The local authority pays the full rent to the accommodation providers on behalf of the tenant.
• The landlord must be tax compliant and produce a Tax Clearance certificate from Revenue Commissioners.
• The property must meet minimum standards for private rental accommodation.
• The landlord must register the tenancy with the Private Residential Tenancies Board.
• The Accommodation sourced may be the rent supplement recipients existing accommodation but where this is not suitable or where the landlord is unwilling to enter into RAS the local authority sources alternative accommodation. Pending the above, rent supplement continues to be available subject to the tenant continuing to qualify for rent supplement. One of the main benefits of RAS is the elimination of poverty traps – as it helps to provide the necessary springboard to accessing employment, training or education opportunities which may lead to broader accommodation options in the future. Tenants can stay in the scheme upon taking up full time employment unlike rent supplementation. As the tenant's income increases a higher contribution towards the rent will be sought.

Other Benefits of RAS

• Provision of an additional source of good quality rented accommodation;
• Greater housing security for persons with long-term housing need;
• Reduced dependency on the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme;
• Contributing to the attainment of greater value for money for the State in the provision of long-term accommodation solutions;
• Improved tenant choice and access to a wider range of housing supports in both the social housing and private housing sectors;
• Promotion of higher standards of accommodation in the private rented sector.

Further Information

For any queries on general policy issues please contact the Department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  or visit http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/SocialHousingSupport/RentalAccomodationScheme/