Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank both Senators for their contributions. I thank Senator Fitzpatrick for her positive comments on the Bill and her comments generally around cost-rental and its imminent introduction into the programme for Government and Housing for All. It will certainly deliver significant benefits. It is based on what occurred in Vienna and is an attempt to take that approach and ramp it up over the coming years, which will be important. I also note the comments on the Fresh Start initiative and the cost-rental tenant in situ scheme.

Senator Gavan raised issues around rising rent levels. Again, this is a supply issue. The rent pressure zones are in place and are working in the vast majority of cases in terms of keeping rent rises at no greater than 2%. That is working well. At the same time, it is a supply matter.

Senator Gavan also referred to multi-occupancy involuntary sharing of accommodation. I note that cost-rental tenants derive a number of benefits, including security of tenure, below-market rents and high-quality housing. However, as the Senator noted, in some cases we would envisage that as incomes rise and an individual’s circumstances change, there may be opportunities to move to a different accommodation situation, for example, to the private market, to another cost-rental home or, in some cases, to purchase their own home.Where a tenant wishes to move out after a period of time, normal notice periods will apply and the replacement of tenants will happen with the landlord's consent. The replacement of tenants on a cost-rental lease will only happen with the landlord's consent. To regulate matters and ensure the eligibility criteria are not circumvented, under section 32(6) of the Affordable Housing Act 2021, the Minister may prescribe how a landlord can give his or her consent to the removal, replacement or addition of tenants to a tenancy contract. The required regulation in respect of this will be drafted in the coming months as the Department and delivery partners make multiple occupancy cost rental a reality. As part of this process, the Department will be working with providers to draw on their experience in drafting the regulations as well as exploring mechanisms to facilitate transfers. For example, right-sizing between cost-rental homes. I hope that gives some assurance to the Senator regarding the very valid concerns he brought forward.