Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----received extra HAP in the final quarter of the past year and, furthermore, 19,000 tenancies were created in January and February of this year.

It is not all bad news. We understand that it is difficult for people but we want to ensure that we continue to have extra supply for people who are in social housing and on HAP; that councils will continue to purchase at pace under the tenantin situscheme; that further schemes will come in, including first opportunity to purchase for people who are renting; and that there is a bespoke scheme coming in for people who are renting and who are not on social housing so that the local authorities, on an administrative basis, can purchase those homes and rent them back at a reasonable and normal rate.

The capital advance leasing facility, CALF, scheme is also being amended, which will make it more viable for AHBs to build.

The Deputies speak about us not having done anything for tenants. Back in July last year, we considerably extended the notice period for tenants. Furthermore, rent pressure zones have been in place since 2019.

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