Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Dec 2001

Vol. 546 No. 1

Written Answers. - Homeless Persons.

Michael Bell

Question:

55 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the recent report from Thres hold which showed a 250% increase in the number of people facing eviction from the private rented sector compared to 1999; the steps being taken to deal with this increase in homelessness arising from evictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31102/01]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy)

There have been media reports of claims by Threshold of a 250% increase in illegal evictions from private rented accommodation, although the breakdown of queries received by Threshold, as published in its annual report for 2000, does not differentiate between normal tenancy terminations, legal evictions and illegal evictions.

The rights of tenants of such accommodation and the protection available to them are in the first place governed by the terms of the lease or other agreement under which the tenancies are held. These are subject to the provisions of the landlord and tenant code, which is the responsibility of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I understand that statistics on the number of evictions from private rented dwellings are not available to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Government proposals for major reforms in the private rented sector, arising from the recommendations of the Commission on the Private Rented Residential Sector, were announced on 5 January 2001. These reforms include improved security of tenure arrangements and the establishment of a Private Rented Residential Tenancies Board to deal primarily with disputes between landlord and tenants. Pending the enactment of the legislation required to give statutory effect to the reforms, I set up the Private Residential Tenancies Board on an ad hoc basis in October. I understand that the board hopes to be in a position early next year to start resolving disputes referred voluntarily by the parties concerned.

In the case of security of tenure, it is proposed to grant a tenant, whose tenancy has not been terminated in the first six months, a right to continue in occupation for the remainder of a four year period, unless the landlord needs to recover possession for specified reasons such as for own or family member occupation, to sell or to redevelop etc. Successive four year tenancy periods are envisaged, during the first six months of each of which the tenancy may be terminated without cause. A graduated notice period, related to the length of the tenancy, will apply, ranging from a minimum of four weeks, 28 days, to a maximum of 16 weeks, 112 days. Rents will be no greater than the market rate and reviews will take place no more than once a year unless there has been a substantial change in the nature of the accommodation. The implementation of these provisions will result in a major step forward for the private rented residential sector with improved security of tenure for tenants and greater certainty for landlords.

Local authorities have a wide range of powers to secure accommodation for persons who are homeless, whether as a result of eviction or otherwise. In addition to the direct provision of housing, local authorities can make arrangements with voluntary organisations to make accommodation available for homeless people, provide financial or other assistance to homeless people and, if necessary, arrange alternative private accommodation.

Under the Government's homeless strategy, local authorities and health boards are drawing up local action plans to deal with all aspects of homelessness. The plans for the main urban areas have been completed and are now being implemented.