Dessie Ellis (Dublin North-West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The most recent homelessness figures issued in January show a significant rise in the number of people and families who are homeless. Homelessness figures have reached record levels and stand at an overall total of 15,286, of which 4,603 are children.

Over recent years, a large number of landlords have been leaving the rental sector. Estimates show that between 2021 and 2023, roughly 40% of landlords left the market. The tenant in situ scheme has operated successfully for 2,500 households since April 2023, which represents thousands of men, women and children who would otherwise have been made homeless. This is a plus for both the families, who would otherwise be homeless, and for the landlords.

A large degree of uncertainty has been created, however, and is causing unnecessary delays because of the lack of clarity on funding and the new rules being introduced, which will be more restrictive and make it more difficult for people to avail of the scheme. As a consequence, we have a large number of families living in fear of being evicted and of being made homeless, and many are forced to overstay in the rental property because the local authorities have not received the approvals to go ahead with the scheme.

In my constituency of Dublin North-West, I have a number of such cases agreed and being held up because Dublin City Council is waiting for the go-ahead from the Minister's Department. In this housing and homelessness crisis, this is just not acceptable. Families are under severe strain and stress, not knowing where they stand and with the threat of homelessness hanging over their heads. The Minister needs to act immediately to get this scheme up and running. His Department needs to actively engage with local authorities and implement this scheme as a matter of urgency.

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