Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I beg the Deputy's pardon. I will take a note of that. These options include securing the continuation of the tenancy with the landlord, securing alternative accommodation through the HAP place finder, allocating another rental accommodation scheme property or allocating a social housing tenancy, including voids, untenanted properties and properties available with an AHB.

There were 1,500 acquisitions approved for 2023 and the programme was extended by the Government into 2024 with a further 1,500 acquisitions, 1,300 of which would be tenant in situ. Local authorities have delegated sanction to deliver the 1,500 acquisitions, subject to those acquisitions being within acquisition cost guidelines issued by the Department.

More than 1,800 homes were acquired by local authorities and approved housing bodies in 2023. While final figures for 2024 have not yet been collated, it is expected that 1,500 acquisitions were completed. The programme for Government contains a commitment to continue with the tenant in situ scheme. As a result, we have to assume it is not suspended. There are annual targets and budgets assigned for each local authority. Pending a Government decision on the 2025 programme, local authorities are asked to continue to take appropriate steps and ensure that their first response is through local tenancy sustainment structures in order to support households and prevent homelessness in cases where tenants have been served with notices of termination by their landlords. The Deputy stated that there were 15 homes in Galway County Council's area that are at risk of not being completed and of not being open to tenancies because of that suspension. I have taken note of what the Deputy said in her and will get her a response.

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