Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Threshold for its excellent report. In Athlone up to 6,000 students attend the institute of technology. One must consider the amount of accommodation they take up. In the past we have looked to get accommodation campuses built for these students through public private partnerships. However, the Department will not allow this to happen, as it is completely against public private partnerships. What is Threshold’s view?

All the talk is about tenants being pushed out of houses. What about houses which are taken by tenants who are taking quality accommodation but will not pay for it? There is no help for the landlord in removing them from the accommodation to free it up for those who deserve it. We have much experience of this around the country. However, the issue is being ignored, with the people affected being told to go to this or that board. I know that in the area I represent, Longford and Westmeath, there is a lot of this going on. Could some legislation be introduced to help landlords to move troublesome tenants out? As well as this, troublesome tenants can move on and find accommodation elsewhere in other towns. This is an issue which needs to be examined.