Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I have been contacted by Saint John of God Community Services regarding its approved housing body. It states that it has been privately renting a house in Meath since 2022. Four residents lived in the house, supported by staff. The owner of the property is selling the house and the Saint John of God Housing Association was in the process of purchasing the house and intended to use CAS funding to do so. This would give permanent tenure to the four residents. However, due to changes, it cannot use CAS funding. There are another two houses in the Louth County Council area where the same has happened. What has happened is that CAS funding is now within the social housing acquisition fund for county councils and they say they have insufficient money. The Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation has also spoken about the fact it wants new builds rather than buying previously owned properties unless it relates to something specific to vacant or derelict houses. There is a huge issue in regard to disability housing. I do not expect an answer today but it needs to be looked at.

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