Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as an gceist seo.

The aim of the Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies) Act 2022 is to afford time for housing supply to increase and to reduce the burden on homelessness services and the pressure on tenants and the residential tenancies market. To assist in managing demands on housing services after the winter emergency period and to ensure there is no cliff-edge impact on 1 April, the Act provides for deferred notices of termination to take effect on a phased basis over the period from 1 April to 18 June 2023. The Act has been carefully calibrated to limit its interference with landlords' constitutional property rights. As a further emergency measure, the Minister has written to local authority chief executives informing them of a decision to continue, for the duration of the winter emergency period and up to the end of the transition period in June 2023, with the delegated sanction of purchasing homes where the tenant is at risk of homelessness.

Ultimately, increased supply across all tenures is key to eradicating homelessness. Housing supply is increasing under Housing for All. Record State investment of €4.5 billion will be made available in 2023 to support the largest State home building programme ever, with 9,100 direct-build social homes and 5,500 affordable homes.

Due to the provisions of the scheme, cost rental does not facilitate the purchase of individual second-hand properties, with capital expenditure focused on acquisition and development of additional new units to help increase overall housing stock. In line with Government commitments, the Affordable Housing Act 2021 will increase Part V provision from 10% for social housing to a mandatory 20% for social, affordable and cost-rental housing requirements.

I will come back in with a supplementary response to the specifics of the question.

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