Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 January 2024
81. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the right to housing report will be published; and the timeline in place for the Government to act on the recommendations of that report. [4388/24]
View answerIn line with Programme for Government commitments, I established the Commission on Housing in December 2021 as an independent body to examine and evaluate Ireland's housing system, including issues such as tenure, standards, sustainability, and quality-of-life issues in the provision of housing.
At the same time, I also tasked the Commission to advise the Government on the critical factors to be considered regarding a referendum on housing and, if appropriate, to recommend wording for a constitutional change. While not a commitment to a referendum on a 'right to housing', this was not precluded by the Commission's terms of reference.
The Commission has submitted its report and recommendations to me regarding a proposed constitutional amendment. In reaching its conclusions, the Commission examined inter alia the range of complex constitutional questions arising. It undertook a comprehensive consultation, researched international experience, evaluated various proposed wordings and considered other critical factors involved with introducing an amendment to the Constitution.
I am currently considering the Commission's comprehensive analysis and report, together with the next steps in the process, and I expect to bring these to Government in the not too distant future.
