Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his positive feedback on the scheme. I re-emphasise that local authorities have been asked to focus on RAS and HAP properties where the tenant has been issued a notice of termination. There is no ceiling in the sanction of acquisitions. Properties already in social housing help to mitigate against the risk of a negative impact on the tenant in ensuring we can address potential homelessness, which continues to be a challenge with the exit of landlords from the private rental market. In the Deputy's constituency in Longford, in 2023, 17 properties were acquired and in 2024, with a 50% increase on the original allocation, Longford and Westmeath requested up to 84 additional acquisitions. This demonstrates the Government's response in the approval of acquisitions.

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