Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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65. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the temporary rent freeze which is currently in place for a further 30 months will be extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17131/20]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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66. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the rent freeze and evictions ban will be extended to 31 January 2021. [17644/20]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 66 together.

With effect from 27 March 2020, under new emergency measures introduced into law to protect tenants during the COVID-19 emergency period, tenants cannot be forced to leave their rental accommodation, other than in exceptional circumstances. The measures also prohibit any increase to rent for the duration of the emergency period. These emergency laws initially applied for a period of 3 months from the enactment of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 and were subsequently extended to 20 July by the previous Government.

On my request, after consultation with the Minister for Health, and with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, the Government has made an Order extending the emergency period until 1 August.

Subject to Cabinet approval, I aim to introduce residential tenancy legislation in the Houses of the Oireachtas before the summer recess to further protect tenants who have been economically impacted by the pandemic.