Tenant in situ scheme in Cork
Deputy Ó Laoghaire says Cork City Council is facing closure of the tenant in situ scheme, risking homelessness for vulnerable families. The Taoiseach insists the scheme remains open, says funding continues, and argues the local issues are being worked through with officials.
The Taoiseach will be aware that there is a special emergency meeting of Cork City Council tonight to discuss the closing-off of the tenant in situ scheme. It is a scheme that allows people who are on the housing list and are facing eviction to be housed by the council with the council buying the property. The tenant in situ scheme prevented 100 children from becoming homeless last year in Cork city alone. It is a no-brainer of a scheme. It is to the benefit of landlords who wish to sell, to the council and, most of all, to the tenants who are potentially facing eviction getting their forever home. The decision to close off this scheme is cruel and short-sighted. Will the Taoiseach give the commitment that he will listen to the voices of the representatives of the people of Cork with regard to tonight's Cork City Council meeting? Most of all, will he give the commitment to listen to those tenants who are potentially facing homelessness, some of whom had proceeded quite a distance in progressing this scheme, only to see the trapdoor close it off? Will the Taoiseach commit to restoring funding and reopening the tenant in situ scheme for these families?
Comment on this
There has been a very strong performance in the scheme since it was introduced in 2023. More than 1,800 social homes were acquired in 2023, of which more than 1,000 were for properties where tenants received a notice of termination. This year the Minister has allocated €325 million to the tenant in situ scheme. It was announced for this year. There are issues and the local authority in Cork raised some of those issues. There was engagement between officials in the Department of housing and officials in Cork City Council but it is not correct to say the scheme has been closed off. That is simply just not true.
Comment on this
If it is closed to families, then it is closed off.
Comment on this
The scheme is open and the bottom line is that the programme for Government commits to the continuation of the tenant in situ scheme. The allocation of resources has been made. There are issues in terms of numbers, refurbishment and all that kind of thing. These are issues that will still have to be resolved between officials.
Comment on this
These families are facing homelessness. The Taoiseach should just go ahead and allow the local authorities to purchase the houses.