Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is very kind. There will be a rent arrears problem in the State. It is not yet clear how big it is which is why the ESRI is doing this work. I have had a number of engagements with both the tenant representative organisations and the landlord representative organisations. It is in both sides' interests that we can manage this problem when it arises, we just need to know the scale and see how best it can be done. Some of those who were laid off first in the crisis will not be able to recover any rent arrears that they will have built up over the period and we do not want to push a problem of a notice to quit, or something else, further down the line, as that will not help them get on their feet.

On new people presenting and not being able to access emergency accommodation, there is an issue around some local authorities trying to use the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive as the solution for services which they have the funding and the people to deliver. It is an area I am generally reluctant to step into but if it means that people are not getting into emergency accommodation, and I do not know if that is the case but I accept the Deputy's bona fides, that should not happen and I will address it as soon as I leave the Chamber.

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