Tenant in situ scheme
Deputy O’Callaghan said the tenant in situ scheme was being implemented inconsistently and lacked a clear point of contact in local authorities. Minister O’Donnell said councils had been instructed to set up acquisition units and that the Minister would consider the Deputy’s concerns.
I have been contacted by several landlords who want to sell their rental properties and do not wish to evict their tenants. They are finding it extremely challenging to access the tenant in situ scheme. There is no clear point of contact in each local authority for landlords and tenants who want to avail of the scheme. Some local authorities are not engaging properly with landlords on it. The scheme is being implemented in very different ways in different parts of the country. This was confirmed to us by the City and County Management Association at yesterday's meeting of the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Focus Ireland has made 12 very reasonable recommendations about how to improve and strengthen the scheme. Is the Government considering implementing those 12 recommendations? When will very clear instruction be given to the local authorities on this scheme?
Comment on this
Clear instructions have been given to the local authorities by the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. He has written to them-----
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But they are implemented differently.
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-----in the last week. The Deputy is probably aware that each local authority is setting up a specific acquisition unit to deal specifically with the tenant in situ scheme and various other issues. These units are now being established. The Deputy's points, which focus on those matters, will be taken into consideration by the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and the Department. They will be given active consideration.