Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I will focus on the gap between what the Government is saying about the tenant in situscheme and how the practice is evolving on the ground. This is not a criticism of anyone. We are just trying to figure out how to close the gap. Notwithstanding the excellent work of the staff of the local authorities with whom I, as a public representative, deal, I have been contacted by a number of landlords who are very frustrated. They need to sell and want to keep the tenants in place. They want to avail of the tenant in situscheme but find that the process very frustrating. I have had more positive experiences. It appears to be a very resource-intensive process for local authorities and AHBs. By its nature, it would take a considerable amount of time given the length of time involved in home sales.

Focus Ireland has made 12 proposals about how to improve and strengthen the tenant in situ scheme. Could the witnesses from the Department tell me if these proposals have been looked at? Does the Department have a view on them? Focus Ireland argues that the requirement for the issuing of a notice of termination, which can be very traumatic for tenants, could be replaced by a formal statement by a landlord that he or she is going to sell the property, is willing to sell to the local authority and is hoping to avail of the tenant in situ scheme and that would be enough to start the process without having to issue an eviction notice. Do the witnesses from the Department and the CCMA have a view on this?

Is it workable? Could those kinds of proposals be taken on board and implemented?