Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his valid question. All of us hope that we do not have to move up further through the levels. Work is ongoing with regard to other measures that may have to be taken in the future, particularly if it was a level 5 event. I earnestly hope that will not be the case.

I know the Deputy is aware of the protections that are in place under the Residential Tenancies and Valuation Act 2020. Even though some do not want to accept it, there has been a significant tapering off of terminations of tenancies. There has been a continued reduction in homelessness, particularly family homelessness. There is still an issue with singles, and we need to focus on that. What I want is a sustainable rental sector. That is why the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, mentioned other housing measures like the affordable rental plan, which the Government is committed to delivering. The Enniskerry Road and Emmet Road developments are the two pilot projects of the previous Government but I would like to see that expedited further.

To answer the Deputy's question, it is being monitored closely, not just within my Department but by the Cabinet sub-committee on housing. We want to make sure that tenants are protected. I might use this opportunity to mention that in respect of the new protections that have been brought in for tenants, I have asked the RTB to engage in direct communication with all tenants from next week. Some 430,000 contacts, in terms of landlords and tenants, will be sent an information sheet advising them of their new rights, who they can contact and their recourse to the Money Advice and Budgeting Service and to the emergency rent supplement that many people are not accessing. That will be followed by a full national advertising campaign on radio and television to get the word out because more work needs to be done to highlight the protections that are available for people under the current legislation. We are monitoring this. Preparatory work is being done within my Department in conjunction with the Department of the Taoiseach.

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