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Dáil
‹ Questions on Promised Legislation

Homeless exploitation legislation

Summary

Deputy Bríd Smith asked about legislation to address exploitation of homeless people and overcrowding in private rentals, citing a Cabinteely case. The Taoiseach referred the question to the Housing Minister, who said the Government was expanding emergency accommodation, social housing, and examining Airbnb's role.

Practices that in normal circumstances would never be countenanced are sometimes allowed to become commonplace during a prolonged and entrenched crisis. Is the Cabinet holding any discussions on legislation to deal with the exploitation of homeless people? We have seen a number of very serious breaches - these would normally never happen if there were not a prolonged housing crisis - in the context of the way landlords behave but also, unofficially, in the way the new type of landlords are behaving. I refer, in particular, to the overcrowding in the house in Cabinteely. Can legislation be introduced to stop landlords from doing something like this in the future? Following an incident in Mountjoy Square last night, Dublin Fire Brigade reported 150 people living in three houses. I know these houses and I calculate that they should not hold more than 70 to 80 people. An Internet café on Talbot Street is allowing people to sleep on the floor overnight. Those individuals are being charged a tenner a night to sleep on the floor or under desks. Will legislation to deal with the consequences of this disgraceful prolonged homeless crisis - by means of which what would never normally be tolerated is being allowed to become the norm in our society - be introduced?

Comment on this
Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

I ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to address the Deputy's specific question.

Comment on this
Simon Coveney Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government Fine Gael

We are, as the Deputy knows, doing a number of things. The main focus has been on increasing the supply of emergency accommodation dramatically in recent months so that people do not feel they are forced to find accommodation in totally unsuitable circumstances, whether that is in Internet cafés or elsewhere.

On the overcrowding within the private rental market, the focus has been on a dramatic increase in the supply of social housing, which is now very much under way. There has also been a focus on Airbnb's role in the private rental market. I have met Airbnb recently to discuss how we can deal appropriately with some of the concerns people have. There is a whole range of different areas. The number of inspections of rental properties will also increase significantly through local authorities which we have committed to in the new rental strategy.

Comment on this

We saw how Mountjoy Square has gone. Hopefully we will not see fires and tragedy resulting in them.

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