Tenant in situ scheme
Deputy Farrell says the tenant-in-situ scheme is being applied unevenly by local authorities and is too rigid when minor building defects exist. The Taoiseach says properties must be up to code but agrees some flexibility may be possible and will raise the issue.
I raise the tenant in situ scheme which has already been raised this afternoon. Unfortunately, as was mentioned earlier, there is a diversity of application of the process by different local authorities across the State. It has been brought to my attention that where a property is not in compliance with building regulations, however minor, such an application is deemed to be invalid. Perhaps the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage might be in a position to enhance the scheme to ensure that a tenant applying for the tenant in situ scheme and-or their landlord would be facilitated in some way either directly through the tenant in situ scheme or through other means.
Comment on this
When the State, through a local authority, buys a property from a landlord, we need to ensure that the building is up to code because ultimately this is taxpayers' money. As the Deputy mentioned, there may be some circumstances where the defects are so minor, they could be repaired and some flexibility should be shown. I am happy to raise it with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. If the Deputy has a specific example to share with me, that would also be helpful.