Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 May 2023
410. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications that have been made by people in Donegal wishing to avail of the cost rental tenant-in-situ scheme; and the number of applications that have been successful and unsuccessful, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26161/23]
View answerThe Cost Rental Tenant In-Situ (CRTiS) Scheme was introduced as an interim measure, developed on an administrative basis, to address the immediate circumstances of the ending of the 'Winter Emergency Period' on 31 March 2023. This temporary scheme is available where a tenant faces the termination of a tenancy due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. The scheme is available if the tenant household:
• is not able to or intending to purchase the property from the landlord,
• does not own other residential property,
• is assessed by the Local Authority to be at risk of homelessness,
• is not in receipt of social housing supports (i.e. the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) or the Residential Accommodation Scheme (RAS)), and
• has an annual net household income of no more than €53,000.
Rents are continued at the current rate paid by the tenant to their former landlord. It is the longer-term intention, however, to transition these tenancies and homes to the standard framework for Cost Rental, where rents are set at a level to meet the costs of acquiring, managing, and maintaining the home. It is for this reason that the net household income limit of €53,000 (gross income less income tax, PRSI, USC and superannuation contributions) aligns with the standard income limit set for Cost Rental housing.
The Housing Agency has informed my Department that they have not received any referrals under the CRTiS Scheme from Donegal County Council to date.
