Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
423. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details of the new initiatives for which he has recently got approval from Cabinet (details supplied) that will assist those with eviction notices to buy their own homes or for their homes to transfer to cost-rental; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12919/23]
View answer433. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to the announcement of the end to the eviction ban and his statement in Dáil Éireann (details supplied), if he will outline the new mechanism referred to; and when it will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12993/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 423 and 433 together.
On the 7 March last the Government decided that the “Winter Emergency Period”, under the Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies) Act 2022, will cease on the 31 March. This will see deferred tenancy terminations taking effect over a staggered period from 1 April to 18 June 2023.
In addition to the on-going and additional measures taken to put in place increased options, including the tenant in situ scheme, to mitigate the impact of the end of the emergency period, Government has now also agreed on a number of new measures.
This includes developing a legislative provision which may require a landlord selling a property to offer “First Right of Refusal” to a tenant. In order that tenants would have as full an opportunity as possible to purchase the home, I have also issued a request to the First Home scheme Designated Activity Company to expand its eligibility so that in instances where tenants have received a notice of termination they would be eligible for support under that scheme.
In addition, I am developing proposals for a bespoke cost rental model which would see a provider, such as an Approved Housing Body, avail of this First Right of Refusal to purchase the property and allow tenants who have received a notice of termination, and who are at risk of homelessness but not on social housing supports, continue to reside in the property. I intend that the cost rental tenant in situ backstop will be applied on an administrative basis from 1 April 2023 prior to legislative enactment with a view to supporting households at risk of homelessness.
The details of these schemes are in the process of being advanced and information will be available in due course.
