Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste for his reply but it does not answer my question. The situation in Ireland is that 5,000 people have entered emergency accommodation since the ban on no-fault evictions was lifted last year. Terminations of tenancies rose by 20% after the ban was lifted, with more than 19,000 households issued with eviction notices last year. We have record homelessness. More than 100 families became homeless in the last three months of 2023 due to no-fault evictions. In the case of 63% of eviction notices last year, the reason given was sale of the property. Focus Ireland has called this the evict-to-sell crisis.

The Housing Commission is making the point that people should not be forced to leave a tenancy for reason of sale of the home, as is the case with commercial businesses. I have seen apartments above businesses sell with the tenant in situ. I am asking whether the Government supports the commission's view that there should be no no-fault evictions for people who are paying their rent and keeping the house up to standard when landlords decide they want to sell and get rid of their tenants. That has to change and that is what the Housing Commission is referring to. That is my question.

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