Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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I wish to flag an issue on section 39(3)(b) and (c). I think issues around 'the duty of care' are very serious. If a landlord pulls out of an arrangement with a local authority, what obligation does the local authority have to the tenant? Is it the same obligation, which I think it should be? Under section 39(3)(b) "the household is residing in the dwelling, the housing authority may provide, or continue to provide, housing assistance ... ". It becomes "maybe" but not definitely. I have come across cases already and we will come across more cases where the landlord will pull out of these arrangements. Then a very serious question arises about the duty of care and where the person stands in relation to other people on the housing list. I think the provision runs the risk of making a mockery of the housing list because the local authority will suddenly have people to house as a matter of priority. This is happening already and will happen more was we move in this direction.