Paul Murphy: Tenant-in-situ cuts threaten thousands
Paul Murphy criticised the government for starving councils of funding for the Tenant-in-situ scheme and warned this is effectively abolishing the scheme and risking thousands of families becoming homeless. He named councils running out of money, highlighted 700 outstanding expressions of interest in South Dublin, and cited Focus Ireland’s assessment that current policy favours vacant possession sales over protecting existing tenants.
Paul Murphy said the government, by starving councils of funding for the Tenant-in-situ scheme, is effectively abolishing it and leaving thousands of families exposed to homelessness.
He listed councils that have officially run out of money or are close to doing so, naming Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council, Carlow and South Dublin County Council. He warned other councils are likely to follow within weeks or months and noted 700 expressions of interest remain unmet in South Dublin.
Paul Murphy quoted Focus Ireland, saying government policy "favours the vacant possession sale on the market rather than the protection of the existing tenant," using the charity’s assessment to underline the human impact of funding choices.
The record states that "£225 million was allocated this year to local authorities across the country to buy second-hand properties." It also records that Tenant-in-situ social acquisitions focus on tenants in receipt of HAP and RAS who have received a notice of termination, and that other mechanisms of funding for second-hand acquisitions exist as local authority supports to deliver new social homes.
The transcript notes a 40-year record in the building of social homes and warns a growing population has created new demands on emergency accommodation. The record records references to concerns about EU/EEA proportions on homeless lists, the need to examine timelines for people arriving into emergency accommodation, and a government focus on affordability alongside social housing. A statement was issued on "private wires" and the minister is expected to bring forward legislation, with scope to broaden aspects of the proposal, according to the record.
Allegations of funding cuts
Paul Murphy said the government, by starving councils of funding for the Tenant-in-situ scheme, is effectively abolishing it and leaving thousands of families exposed to homelessness.
Councils running out of Tenant-in-situ funds
He listed councils that have officially run out of money or are close to doing so, naming Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council, Carlow and South Dublin County Council. He warned other councils are likely to follow within weeks or months and noted 700 expressions of interest remain unmet in South Dublin.
Third-party assessment cited
Paul Murphy quoted Focus Ireland, saying government policy "favours the vacant possession sale on the market rather than the protection of the existing tenant," using the charity’s assessment to underline the human impact of funding choices.
Scheme allocations and eligibility details
The record states that "£225 million was allocated this year to local authorities across the country to buy second-hand properties." It also records that Tenant-in-situ social acquisitions focus on tenants in receipt of HAP and RAS who have received a notice of termination, and that other mechanisms of funding for second-hand acquisitions exist as local authority supports to deliver new social homes.
Housing delivery, population pressures and other measures
The transcript notes a 40-year record in the building of social homes and warns a growing population has created new demands on emergency accommodation. The record records references to concerns about EU/EEA proportions on homeless lists, the need to examine timelines for people arriving into emergency accommodation, and a government focus on affordability alongside social housing. A statement was issued on "private wires" and the minister is expected to bring forward legislation, with scope to broaden aspects of the proposal, according to the record.
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Transcript
The Tenant-in-situ scheme is the only thing that lies between thousands of families and homelessness. The government, by starving councils of funding for it, is effectively abolishing it. It is incredible. Dublin City Council has now officially run out of money. Fingal County Council is the same. Carlow has now run out of money. South Dublin County Council is just about to run out of money for the Tenant-in-situ scheme. I am sure other councils are only a matter of weeks or months away from being in the same place. In South Dublin County Council, that means there are still 700 expressions of interest of families who are in this situation who there is not going to be funding to prevent them from going into homelessness. Focus Ireland put it correctly when they say government policy favours the vacant possession sale on the market rather than the protection of the existing tenant. Will you reverse this cruel policy and properly fund the Tenant-in-situ scheme and prevent a new tidal wave of homelessness? In terms of the Tenant-in-situ, £225 million was allocated this year to local authorities across the country to buy second-hand properties. The Tenant-in-situ social acquisitions is focused on tenants in receipt of HAP and RAS who received a notice of termination. There are other mechanisms of funding for second-hand acquisitions as well. These are supports from local authorities to deliver new social homes. There are a lot more new social homes being built now than there would have been historically. We are at a 40-year record in terms of the building of social homes, which does not get recognised at all. In terms of, yes, there is roughly those on the homeless list. I think that you referred to close to 50 per cent would be EU or EEA. We have a growing population. The timelines as to when people come on to the emergency accommodation list is a matter that needs to be examined in terms of needs when people arrive in. But the growing population has created new demands and new pressures on our system of that, there is no doubt. Deputy Merger, the Government is focused on affordable. It has to balance that with social also, because that would take pressure off the private market if we get more people out of the private rental sector into social housing, but we are absolutely focused on supporting affordability and getting more affordable homes, particularly for those above the social housing income threshold, but not having the financial resources available to purchase a home. That is a very significant group of people who do need attention and supports. Deputy Heenan, the statement was issued today in terms of the private wires. There are a number of areas that have been identified where this will be applied and legislation will be forthcoming by the Minister and that will be an opportunity as well to maybe broaden out some aspects of this and the breadth of the proposal.