Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 May 2025
22. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will increase funding for housing acquisitions, such as the tenant in situ scheme in Sligo and Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24854/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am providing €325 million to local authorities in 2025 to buy second-hand properties with a particular focus on tenant-in-situ acquisitions. All local authorities have been informed of their specific funding allocations. Leitrim County Council and Sligo County Council has been allocated €2 million and €3 million respectively. To date Leitrim has not drawn down any of its funding allocation for acquisitions for 2025. Sligo County Council has drawn down 44%, or €1.68m, of its €3m allocation for acquisitions in 2025.
The priority funding areas for 2025 are broadly similar to previous years and are:
• tenancy sustainment – tenant-in-situ
• exits from homeless services (including one beds for housing first need)
• people with a disability and older persons requiring urgent housing responses and
• buy and renew acquisitions which tackle vacancy.
In respect of tenants in HAP/RAS with a notice of termination local authorities have a range of options at their disposal to consider before deciding if an acquisition is the best approach. Those options include; a social housing tenancy, negotiations with the landlord to see if the existing tenancy can be sustained, or help to secure alternative private accommodation.
The funding for second-hand acquisitions is part of almost €2 billion in total, which is supporting local authorities and approved housing bodies to deliver new social homes in 2025. The main focus of the social housing programme is to increase the delivery of new build homes which will allow local authorities to meet the housing challenge.
My Department continues to engage with local authorities on any challenges which emerge in order to ensure that tenant in situ acquisitions can continue in 2025 where no other solutions exist for the affected households.
