I move:
That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to make emergency provision to defer the termination dates of certain tenancies that fall, or would fall, during the period beginning on the day after the date of the passing of this Act and ending on 31 January 2024 in order to mitigate the risk that persons whose tenancies would otherwise be terminated during that period would be unable to obtain alternative accommodation; to make such provision on a phased basis to enable tenancies affected to be terminated over a period of time to assist in managing demands on housing services as a result of such deferred termination; and to provide for related matters.
Yesterday, the Taoiseach criticised Sinn Féin's decision to table a motion calling for the extension of the ban on no-fault evictions. He said that, as the motion was not legally binding, it demonstrated that we were just playing politics with the issue. While I absolutely reject the Taoiseach's claims, I want him to be under no doubt whatsoever of Sinn Féin's seriousness on this important issue.
Today, I introduce the Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies) Bill 2023. The Bill is based almost exactly on Government legislation that was passed by this House last October and is the only way to prevent the impending human catastrophe of rising levels of homelessness in eight days' time. It extends the ban on no-fault evictions to 21 January 2023, with a phased ending of protection of renters through February, March and April 2023. The purpose of this extension is to give the Government the breathing space needed to significantly reduce the flow of adults and children into homelessness, while also allowing them to implement a Covid-19 emergency response, that is, using emergency planning and procurement powers to target vacant and derelict properties, and use new building technologies to deliver a quantum of social and affordable homes above existing targets. These new homes would be specifically for single people and families in emergency accommodation.
Real and meaningful emergency prevention and supply measures would relieve the pressure on the emergency accommodation system. This would allow the ban on no-fault evictions to be ended on a phased basis from next year. This is the only alternative to allowing an ever-greater number of renters to lose their homes. Of course, Government must also significantly increase and accelerate the delivery of social, affordable, cost-rental and affordable purchase homes. That is the only long-term solution to the housing crisis. Despite all the rhetoric from the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, this is something they have steadfastly refused to do.
Yesterday, the Government - supported by Independents - took a conscious decision to increase homelessness. As my colleague, Deputy Doherty, said earlier, that is absolutely shameless. The Taoiseach's claim that it was always the Government's intention to end the ban at the end of March 2023 is not true. Throughout February, when Government spokespeople were asked about the intentions of ending of the ban, they said the Government was considering the matter and consulting with the Attorney General. In the week before the ending of the ban, the Cabinet was actively considering options, including an extension of the ban or an amended version of it. However, despite the rising levels of homelessness, an increase in eviction notices falling due, and pleas from homeless service providers in the public and voluntary sectors, Government took a decision last night, supported by a majority of Deputies, to end this vital protection. What is even worse is that the Government has not put in place any credible mitigation measures to protect the renters who will be at risk of losing their home in a few days.
The proposals made by the Rural Independent Group do nothing for these renters. Their proposals on fair deal will not deliver even a modest number of new homes and, according to the Minister with responsibility for older people, it could result in an increase in elder abuse. The proposals relating to Croí Cónaithe will not improve what is already a badly designed and chronically underfunded scheme. The rent-a-room relief scheme will deliver little in terms of units and will consign people living in those properties to a completely unprotected status as licensees rather than tenants.
The Regional Group Independents' call for tax reliefs for landlords is undefined, uncosted, will not take effect until 2024 and will do nothing to stop landlords selling up this year. Their housing assistance payment, HAP, proposal, which is actually quite a sensible measure, does nothing for people holding eviction notices. Finally, their call regarding uncommenced planning permissions is already Government policy. It is a measure the Government has been talking about for a year and a half, and yet it has produced nothing of significance. These are not serious or credible proposals to address the immediate, impending homelessness crisis. Of course, the Regional Group and the one Rural Independent Deputy, having got their 30 pieces of silver, turned their backs on renters and shored up the Government's paper-thin majority. Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the Green Party and now the Independents have absolutely abandoned renters, but Sinn Féin has not done so. We will continue to fight for proper protections for all renters and for secure and affordable homes for working people. That is why I am tabling the Bill and why I commend it to the House.
