Tenant in situ funding
Deputy Cummins said several Dublin South Central families face homelessness because funding has not been allocated for the tenant in situ scheme, despite a landlord and council being willing to complete a sale. The Taoiseach said the scheme was under a short review to improve targeting and value for money and should be resolved shortly.
Families in Dublin South Central are contacting me because they are in fear of becoming homeless. This issue arose today a number times during the debate on our Private Members' motion. The home they are living in could be sold to Dublin City Council and the landlord is willing to do so. However, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has not allocated the funding for the tenant in situ scheme so, therefore, they cannot do that. The landlord is willing to sell and the council is willing to buy but the budget has not been allocated. Today is 19 February so I would like to know when the Minister will allocate the budget this year. I would also like to know that this is done in advance for next year and subsequent years. If there is money in the budget and there is a plan for it, what is the reason for the delay?
Comment on this
The tenant in situ scheme has been subject to a short review in terms of targeting and making sure we get the best value for money but also making sure that families most in need benefit from the scheme and we get the best outcomes all round in terms of the application of that scheme. There has been engagement within the Department on that issue and we expect that to be resolved shortly.