Do we need to be on a council housing list before we get rent allowance? & related Qs

Hi, I just joined up here as a friend told me it was a great place to come for both information and advice.

Where do I start...

I recently got made redundant from my job and I am returning to college in September and will be claiming back to education allowance. My girlfriend is 10 weeks pregnant and still lives at home with her parents, since telling her parents about the pregnancy they have told her she has to move out. She isn't working as she has just finished college in June/July (can't remember) and couldn't find work since so she is claiming job seeker's allowance. The thing is neither of us can afford to rent a place of our own so what I am looking to find out is how we go about getting rent allowance for somewhere to live.

I have found a house in Celbridge ( I am from Blanchardstown and she is from Clondalkin) and the rent is 750EUR per month and the landlord is willing to accept rent allowance from us.

Do we need to be on a council housing list before we can get rent allowance?
Will rent allowance be very low as my girlfriend has not had the baby yet?

Both of us would be very grateful for any information and advice you can give us.
Thank you in advance.

Have a look at the information booklet which is linked at the end of this page -

[broken link removed]

It outlines the qualifying criteria for Rent Supplement.

There are maximum rent limits which apply, and until the baby is born, the limit which applies is for a couple only. When the baby is born, the limit may increase.

The maximum rent limits for each county and family size can be found on the SW website - follow the link on the above page to the Dept of Social Protection site.