Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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329. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the organisations and stakeholders he and his Department officials met with as part of deliberations regarding the lifting of the eviction ban. [15456/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Government agreed on 7 March that the ‘Winter Emergency Period’ under the Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies) Act 2022 would come to an end on 31 March 2023, with deferred tenancy terminations taking effect over a staggered period from 1 April to 18 June 2023 as planned and legislated for under that Act.

In advance of this, I considered a number of courses of action and consulted with colleagues across Government who have agreed, taking account of the advices of the Office of Attorney General and our collective knowledge and interaction with the residential sector, that a focus on additional new supply was the best way forward in dealing with the end of the winter eviction ban in a manner which best protects tenants.

In advance of the deferred tenancy arrangements being agreed by Government last October I held a stakeholder event with representatives of homeless agencies and property owners which helped inform the parameters of the legislative arrangements. As the legislation itself provided for the staggered end of the pause no specific meeting was held between my Department nor I with any organisation in relation to the ending of the pause. However, key stakeholders and the wider public continually engage with Government in relation to the operation of the rental market and of tenancy protections. This engagement also informed the Government's decision not to amend the provisions enacted last October.

Under Housing for All the Government is committed to increase supply and protect renters while trying to keep small landlords in the system. In this regard my Department has commenced a review of the Private Rental Sector which will inform Government on the measures which need to be taken to ensure a well-functioning private rental sector in Ireland that works for all.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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330. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to conduct modelling on the effect of the lifting of the eviction ban; and if this modelling will inform the development of contingency plans to mitigate the risk of increased pressure on homeless services. [15457/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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As set out in the Housing for All Action Plan Update (published in November, 2022), my Department has commenced a comprehensive review of the private rental sector. This review will take into account the significant regulatory changes over the past several years in the residential rental market, and will report on how our housing system can be enhanced to provide an efficient, affordable, viable, safe and secure framework for both landlords and tenants.

This review will include a thematic review of the principal and relevant elements of the rental market to ensure that Ireland has a sector which meets the needs of tenants, both short-term and long-term, while providing a supportive environment for the maintenance of the existing stock and provision of new units. The review conclusions will draw on international practice. The review is underway and will conclude as early as possible, with the benefit of public consultation and targeted engagement with various stakeholders. My Department is engaging with the Departments of Finance; and Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in carrying out the review and implementing relevant recommendations.

This review will be essential in properly planning future policy for the residential rented sector including implementing measures to support both landlords and tenants.

My Department will be closely monitoring the impact of the ending of the ‘winter emergency period’ over the coming months together and will also be working closely with local authorities and homelessness agencies to alleviate any consequential pressures on homeless services. This will inform any future modeling exercises and will be considered in the context of the overall review.

The Government is committed to increasing housing supply generally, including rental accommodation, and to protect renters while retaining landlords in the system. Over the coming months, my Department and I will work with our partners in Government to put together a comprehensive new package of effective measures for both tenants and landlords.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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331. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if plans to give tenants first refusal of their landlord's property will fix the sale price at the market rate. [15458/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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On 7 March last the Government decided that the “Winter Emergency Period”, under the Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies) Act 2022, will cease on the 31 March 2023. This will see deferred tenancy terminations taking effect over a staggered period from 1 April to 18 June 2023.

In addition to the on-going and extra measures taken to put in place increased options, including the tenant in situ scheme, to mitigate the impact of the end of the emergency period, Government has now also agreed on a number of new measures.

This includes developing a legislative provision which may require a landlord selling a property to offer “First Right of Refusal” to a tenant. This would require a landlord selling a property to first offer it to the tenant on an independent valuation basis for sale.

If a tenant is unable to access a sufficient mortgage from a financial provider, eligible tenants may access the Local Authority Home Loan scheme which already applies to second hand homes.

In order that tenants would have as full an opportunity as possible to purchase the home, I have issued a request to the First Home scheme Designated Activity Company to expand its eligibility so that in in­stances where tenants have received a notice of termination they would be eligible for support under that scheme.

Details of these measures are in the process of being advanced and full information will be available in due course.