Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I move amendment No. 54:

In page 65, after line 7, to insert the following:“Provision of housing units
52. In the provision of housing units, a local authority shall give priority to persons that have been responsible tenants in leased accommodation under the Rental Accommodation Scheme.”.

I tabled this amendment as a safeguard in the event of the Minister not accepting the earlier amendment that deals with people being taken off housing lists.
It is proposed that those with lease agreements be considered for vacancies in the existing housing stock. As would be expected, these people have a proven track record in the maintenance and upkeep of the home which was leased to them. Based on recent trends, there is the prospect that lease agreements will not be renewed because of the rent caps. My amendment proposes that tenants who have availed of leased accommodation under the RAS be considered for casual vacancies in the housing stock as they arise by virtue of their proven track record in adhering to lease agreements.