33 million euro was spent on Housing Assistance Payments in Clare last year.
New figures show that both the number of tenancies, and the average rents paid, climbed throughout 2019.
HAP, or the Housing Assistance Payment, is a form of social housing support provided by all Councils.
They pay the rent in full to the landlord, while the tenant pays the local authority a rent contribution based on their income.
Newly-released data shows an increased take-up of HAP in Clare last year.
At the start of 2019, there were 1310 HAP tenancies here, and by the end of the year that increased to 1369.
The average rent went up, too, from 465 euro at the start of the year to 480 euro by December.
All told, the figures released by Housing Minister suggest that just over 33 million euro was given to the landlords of HAP tenancies last year.
Over half a billion euro will be spent on the scheme nationally this year.
