Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

Last year, approximately 1,500 houses were acquired in tenant in situ situations. This scheme has only been in place for a very short period of time. There has been a very rapid expansion of the scheme. I am not criticising local authorities. Many availed of the scheme and pushed forward with its delivery.

We saw a record number of new social homes constructed in 2023, as well as local authority and AHB re-lets which are happening every single week. There is a range of options for local authorities in respect of specific tenants or tenants in arrears. The Minister will continue to engage with local authorities specifically on the tenant in situ scheme and acquisitions more generally. We want to move the balance to building more social houses in the medium term but we acknowledge that, in the interim, the tenant in situ scheme continues and funding has been allocated.

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