Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 4, line 5, to delete "12 July 2021" and substitute "12 October 2021".

I will be speaking to all my amendments now in the interests of time as they are similar and attempt the same achievement. I asked the Minister yesterday to correct the Dáil record on the National Quality Standards Framework not being applied to private emergency accommodation. It is regrettable he has not updated the record on that. I can assure him I will keep raising the matter until he does because it is important we have clarity on it from the Minister with responsibility for housing.

I will be clear on a few points. The Minister spoke about the opposition to the removal of the extension of the evictions ban in place since last July. That was the position taken by the Opposition and we favoured the evictions ban being continued. The Minister references figures, which demonstrate very clearly the highest number of evictions of families into homelessness last year after Covid-19 was in August, after the protections were removed. It is clear and the Minister should be aware of those figures. We should also be aware of landlords leaving the market as a direct result of Government policy and the favourable tax treatment of REITs.

The Minister mentioned that only 400 people are getting protection but Threshold has raised specific concerns about that. It argues the arrangements introduced by the Minister have been far too complex for most people to understand and avail of. Analysis by Threshold bears that out.

Threshold are the people who are working on the front line on a day-to-day basis. Deputy Connolly made the very good point that Threshold are the people we all refer constituents to when they need expertise and advice. It is regrettable that many Government backbenchers have referred to issues of antisocial behaviour and tenants deliberately withholding rent to justify the changes being brought in. No one in the Opposition supports or countenances antisocial behaviour or tenants who deliberately withhold rent. The issue is the thousands of renters who are struggling to afford their rent and have genuine affordability issues. The lack of protection and reduction in protections for that cohort of renters is of particular concern.

My amendment and the other amendments I am speaking to seek to extend the limited protections for the limited cohort of renters through to October, at a minimum, which would give the Minister and the Department enough time to put in permanent protections for renters. That is all the amendment seeks to do and, therefore, I urge the Minister to accept it.

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