Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for bringing this important legislation to the House in such a speedy and timely manner. It is a sensible move that seeks to protect renters from eviction. I acknowledge the work of Department officials in drafting this Bill and the work of the Attorney General’s office in ensuring that its provisions are constitutional, legally defensible and strike a balance between property rights and protection of renters at this difficult time for so many.

The Minister arranged a briefing for the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage and we were given the time to discuss and ask questions on the draft Bill. It was agreed unanimously by the committee to waive pre-legislative scrutiny in order not to delay and to ensure that we can pass this law as soon as possible to protect renters.

I reiterate the recommendation from the committee that, where a notice to quit is issued and the RTB is notified, the relevant local authority should also be informed at that time. That was a strong recommendation from the committee following that session. It may not be easily included in the primary legislation but I urge the Minister of State to take that recommendation on board and to consider what is the best method for the local authority to be informed and made aware of a notice to quit and the date on which the tenancy will expire under this law, which relates to the length of tenancy, so that the local authorities can monitor and manage homelessness challenges.

I also ask the Minister of State to note the submission received by the Oireachtas committee from Threshold with regard to his Bill. I am sure he will agree that Threshold is a leading organisation in preventing homelessness and a crucial source of independent information and support for those at risk or experiencing homelessness. Threshold stated:

Threshold welcomes the introduction of the emergency measures contained in the Bill and commends the government for having listened to homelessness organisations and others who have been advocating for such an intervention. The rationale for the Bill is clear and well-rehearsed, but the impact will be significant. It will prevent homelessness for thousands of individuals during the winter period.

However, there are two areas which require further consideration. They have already been outlined by others. One relates to overcrowding and the other to those in rental arrears. The suggestion is that those renters who have engaged with the Money Advice & Budgeting Service, MABS, and who are working to actively engage on repayment should be allowed to avail of the deferred termination dates. I ask the Minister of State to consider these suggestions. We can discuss them on Committee Stage.

The Bill introduces emergency provisions that place a moratorium on evictions between now and the end of March 2023. We are conscious of the difficult winter ahead resulting from increases in the cost of living and primarily the increased electricity and gas prices caused by Russia’s war on the people of Ukraine, with whom we stand in support and solidarity against the weaponisation of energy supplies.

We are also conscious of the difficulty people experience in trying to secure alternative accommodation at this time and the great pressure on homelessness services across the voluntary, community, NGO and local authority sectors. I take this opportunity to thank all those who work in that sector. It is a difficult and stressful job and those people help thousands of people every year when they need it most. I have worked with my own local authority in Wicklow and I have no hesitation in saying that the staff in the housing section do a fantastic job, as do staff in all of our local authorities. Many go way above and beyond their job descriptions to help our constituents with their housing needs, often in emergency situations. In order to assist those staff in our local authorities, I hope the Minister of State will consider the Oireachtas committee's recommendation on local authorities being informed of notices to quit at the time of issue. The phased arrangements to enable affected tenancies to be terminated over a period to assist in managing demand on housing services as a result of such deferred termination also constitute a sensible measure.

While this Bill is a welcome measure that will provide some temporary relief for renters, the longer-term solutions are the provision of affordable rental properties of a good design and high standards under secure long-term tenancies. I refer here to the cost-rental model. Cost-rental is a core Green Party housing policy and I am proud that we introduced and legislated for the provision of cost-rental accommodation last year in the Affordable Housing Act 2021.

That was only just over a year ago. Despite comments from others, you cannot just switch on affordable housing schemes and cost-rental like a light bulb but we are doing so. It is a concept that is new to Ireland but it has proven to be highly effective in the European rental sector and especially in Vienna. We met with our Austrian Green Party colleagues prior to passing that legislation to learn from their model and to ensure that cost-rental will work for Ireland.

The Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage is currently going through a series of meetings with local authorities from across the country to engage with them and learn from their delivery of housing across the range of social housing provision, through direct builds, with approved housing bodies, AHBs, through affordable purchase schemes and through delivery of cost-rental directly, with AHBs and with the LDA. The figures we received from the local authorities are encouraging. The pipeline of projects is strong and they are confident of meeting their targets. They have told us they are well funded and resourced but that there are challenges caused by inflation and staff recruitment and retention. My constituency in Wicklow has actually exceeded its social housing delivery targets. It has just progressed its first affordable purchase scheme and in recent months I have attended the opening of four social housing schemes across the county with the Minister, and more recently in Bray with An Taoiseach.

In engagement with the LDA, we have heard of its commitment to the delivery of cost-rental across its many projects. Across ten projects nationwide, its near-term deliveries are at design, planning and construction stage and will provide over 5,000 homes. That is public housing on public land, including affordable and cost-rental, that is secure, to a high standard of design and with good transport links. Just up the road from me in Shanganagh they are well advanced on delivery of 597 homes. That consists of 200 social apartments, 306 cost-rentals, 40 affordable purchase apartments and 51 affordable purchase houses. That is one example of what the LDA will deliver. It still surprises me to this day when I hear Opposition spokespersons criticise the LDA and not want it to construct houses, although it is possible they have changed their position by now.

The legislation we will pass this week will offer a short-term but very necessary protection for renters. It has been widely welcomed. However, we must continue with determination and using every method available to provide housing. We must engage with investors, large-scale landlords and smaller landlords with one or two homes. We must invest public tax money wisely to provide the best return for our people and long-term returns on that tax money, to activate land, ensure compact growth and compact living and inject action into stalled developments and uncommenced planning consents. We must find that spot where viability and affordability align and work with all players to deliver. State investment must provide a return to homeowners and renters through the delivery of affordability and secure tenures. The output must be sustainable and compliant with our carbon targets, using all available alternatives in building materials and design, bringing as many vacant and under-used buildings as possible into productive use. We must continue do that at scale and pace with the targets set out in Housing for All.

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