Mark Duffy (Fine Gael)

I offer my condolences to the Minister of State on his sad loss. It is a testament to him that he is back here so soon after such a difficult loss. My sympathies are with him.

I raise an issue relating to the tenant in situ scheme, which is a very good scheme that helps people in the challenging circumstance of facing eviction. Currently, when people are in receipt of HAP or RAS, local authorities are enabled to purchase the property when the eviction notice is given to the tenant. Unfortunately, any rent supplement paid to the household renter is not taken into account and is not a factor for the tenant in situ scheme. This means the local authority cannot purchase the property because they have not been empowered by the Department of housing to do so, even though the renter is receiving rent supplement support from a social welfare office.

This issue was raised with me by Councillor Donna Sheridan in Castlebar. She is currently dealing with a situation where the local authority wants to purchase a house that meets all the scheme criteria. The person renting the house is in receipt of rent supplement from the social welfare office. Unfortunately, bureaucracy is denying the local authority the ability to purchase the property.

People who receive rent supplement are often victims of domestic violence and abuse and have been relocated. They are being penalised and are suffering a negative impact under this policy. Will the Minister of State consider expanding the scheme to include those in receipt of rent supplement? This is a pressing matter. Given the current housing challenges, many people are under pressure. In the instance I mentioned, the local authority wants to help but cannot do so because of the current criteria. I would really welcome the Minister of State's consideration of this issue. I look forward to his response.