Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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1195. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the temporary ban on evictions will be extended if deemed necessary; his plans to review a putative expansion to take account of individual situations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8846/20]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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With effect from 27 March 2020, new emergency measures were introduced into law to protect tenants during the COVID-19 emergency period. Rent increases are prohibited and tenants cannot be forced to leave their rental accommodation, other than in exceptional circumstances, during the COVID-19 emergency period. Initially, these emergency laws will last for a period of 3 months, but they may be extended if the Government considers it is necessary. 

Under the legislation, the process for any extension of the 3 month period involves the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government requesting the Government to make an Order, having consulted with the Minister for Health and with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.  The Government must consider it appropriate and be satisfied that it is in the public interest to extend the emergency period having regard to: 

- the threat to public health; 

- the highly contagious nature of COVID-19; and 

- the need to restrict the movement of persons to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

The consideration of whether to request the Government to make an Order to extend the emergency period is ongoing and any request to Government will be made at the appropriate time and in accordance with the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020. 

It is not possible to amend the provisions of the Act at this time.