Seán Sherlock
Question:811. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the options for families in real terms as they are faced with eviction (details supplied). [17454/23]
View answerTuesday, 18 April 2023
Questions (811)
Written answers
On 7 March last the Government decided that the “Winter Emergency Period”, under the Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies) Act 2022, would cease on the 31 March 2023. 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 measures taken to put in place increased options, to mitigate the impact of the end of the emergency period, Government agreed on a number of new measures.
These include 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, the First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company has also expanded its eligibility so that in instances where tenants have received a notice of termination they may be eligible for support under that scheme to buy the home.
Tenants seeking to purchase the home may be eligible for the Help-to-Buy Scheme. My colleague, Mr. Michael McGrath, T.D., Minister for Finance is responsible for the Help-to-Buy scheme, and any development or expansion of said scheme comes under the remit of his Department. More information on the scheme is available at the following link: www.revenue.ie/en/property/help-to-buy-incentive/index.aspx.
Matters such as mortgage deposit requirements come under the remit of the Central Bank of Ireland, which is an independent body. Relevant information is available at the following Central Bank links: www.centralbank.ie/financial-system/financial-stability/macro-prudential-policy/mortgage-measures.
Where a family facing the termination of a tenancy is eligible for social housing, the relevant Local Authority will be able to offer assistance using the range of social housing support options. For those in receipt of Housing Assistance Payment, this may include the Tenant in Situ scheme for social housing.
My Department has also developed ‘Cost Rental Tenant In-Situ’ scheme for tenants who are at risk of homelessness because a landlord intends to sell the property, but who are not in receipt of social housing supports and are above social housing eligibility thresholds.