Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
590. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 116 of 18 May 2023, if, given that he stated the scrutiny report identified a number of ambiguities and possible unintended legal consequences arising from the iteration of the Bill, he will outline the ambiguities and provide further clarity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36094/23]
View answerThe Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government published a Report on Scrutiny of the Housing (Homeless Families) Bill 2017 in October 2019. The report highlighted a number of ambiguities and possible unintended legal consequences arising from sections of the Bill as initiated, including:
• Uncertainty of scope;
• The use of the term "family unit";
• The use of the term "family home";
• The use of the term "child";
• The exclusion of children in precarious housing situations from the Bill;
• The lack of a commencement provision.
A copy of the scrutiny report is available on the Oireachtas website:data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/committee/dail/32/joint_committee_on_housing_planning_and_local_government/reports/2019/2019-10-11_report-on-scrutiny-of-the-housing-homeless-families-bill-2017-pmb_en.pdf.
My Department, along with nominated representatives of the local authority Regional Homelessness leads, undertook a review of sections 2 and 10 of the Housing Act 1988 in recognition of the significant changes in homelessness since the drafting of the Housing Act 1988 and to enable local authorities and homeless services to better address homelessness. The review is now complete and and a policy position is being developed.
