Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

While this legislation sets out to do something all of us would welcome in that it will protect renters and ensure they cannot be evicted because of the Covid pandemic, it also discriminates against other renters who may be evicted for other reasons. That is the basic problem the Opposition has with the Minister's legislation. It would be wise of him, in the interests of unity and bringing everyone in the House together, to ensure we can do something which represents everybody. It is totally unfair that people will be put out of their home and will have to try to find alternative accommodation in a pandemic, regardless of whether their income has been reduced due to Covid.

Other issues need to be raised with regard to social housing in particular. Two come to my mind that the Minister needs to deal with, one of which is the level at which the housing assistance payment, HAP, is made. Currently, in County Leitrim, a couple with one child has to find a home to rent for less than €450 a month, which is impossible. Everyone tells us that. Another issue is that many landlords refuse to accept HAP tenants and are doing that openly.

The third issue it is vital the Minister addresses is the level of income on which people can go onto the housing lists. Currently, it is way too low. People who cannot afford to rent in the private market are also excluded from going on the council housing list. That needs to be addressed also.

Fundamentally, with regard to this particular legislation, the Minister needs to accept the amendments put forward by the Opposition and recognise that what all of us here must do is understand there are many people who may fall into rent arrears in a pandemic and who will have to try to find alternative accommodation. That is totally inappropriate. The Minister needs to re-examine this legislation, accept the amendments put forward on it and do something about the three issues I raised, especially the HAP and the income level at which people can go on the housing lists.

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