Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The amendment is quite detailed and runs to four pages, so it requires some analysis. I know it flows from the joint package announced by the Minister, Deputy Noonan, and his ministerial colleague, Deputy Kelly. The backdrop to this is the fact that there simply is little or no availability for tenants who are dependent on State support, including rent supplement and the housing assistance payment. They find it increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to access rental accommodation not just in Dublin but throughout the country because it is now a landlord's market. Landlords can, in effect, choose the type of tenant they want to sign up for a lease.

It remains to be seen what effect this amendment will have. I do not believe it will have any impact on supply, nor is the Government suggesting it will. What it may do, however, is divert some accommodation in the private rental sector from tenants who are not dependent on State supports to those who are. As we know, many of those people are ending up in emergency accommodation, especially in Dublin but elsewhere as well.

Perhaps the Minister can clarify the issue in paragraph (c) where there is a pre-existing lease in place prior to 1 January 2016. If my reading of this is correct, that lease should be deemed to be a qualifying lease on 1 January. Does the landlord need to renew or roll on that lease to benefit from the additional taxation relief which is provided for in this amendment?

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