Victor Boyhan (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. McCafferty, Ms Stakem and Ms O'Reilly for their presentations. More importantly, I thank the organisations they represent, namely, Threshold and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The committee and, indeed, the nation is indebted to them and their advocacy work. I wish to acknowledge their campaigning. It is very much based on delivery of a rights-based approach and it is always consistent.

I was a member of this committee for the previous four years. The witnesses have also spent a lot of time analysing the problems. I clearly hear the issues relating to the witnesses' capacity from Senator Fitzpatrick and Deputy Ó Broin and having a bigger, wider and more comprehensive review. That is what is clearly emerging. It is not that anyone is questioning or doubting but when one is making a case politically for these sort of reforms, it always needs to be evidence-based. I am of the view that HAP was temporary by nature.

I was very taken by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's visitation programme. I know there is less of this with Covid. The society is meeting very vulnerable people. The very fact that they are in the HAP programme and are seeking support and that some, though not all, of them are unemployed - a high percentage of them are employed - all boils down to affordability in terms of a home for oneself. It is important that we acknowledge that and the witnesses' rights-based approach because it is really important.

The witnesses touched on section 34 of the Residential Tenancies Act where a landlord is permitted to evict a tenant for the purposes of sale, refurbishment, owner use or change of use and the difficulties around that. I was a councillor for many years. When I finished up, particularly when HAP was being talked about more in the past few years, the lack of secure tenure came up. This is one of the biggest problems with regard to why people do not want to be in HAP. Can Ms O'Reilly tell us why landlords are resisting HAP? There are reasons behind that. Is it to do with bureaucracy and red tape? Is it to do with issues around revenue? Is the issue the fact that they are tying up their properties for too long? Remember that an awful lot of people in this area are involved in investment accommodation. They were there to make a buck. Many of them have been stopped in their tracks. I would like Ms O'Reilly to tease that out so that we get an understanding of the typical landlord and why he or she resists HAP. I know that Threshold continues to advocate for the removal of no-fault evictions. Could the witnesses elaborate on that?

It goes back to the same old story. There is the urgent need for real affordable rental housing where rent reflects the ability to pay. That says it all in a nutshell. That is the kernel of the problem. Deputy Ó Broin spoke about what the witnesses' ask was. We are here and are policy makers. What is the witnesses' ask? It is really important for the witnesses to state their ask as concisely and clearly as possible. I cannot thank both organisations enough because I have worked with both of them on the ground and know the importance of their work. They are a real source of encouragement. We are lucky to have these organisations advocating for people who need affordable homes. I thank the witnesses for coming in.