Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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1181.To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when local authorities will be permitted to enter new rental accommodation scheme contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33372/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) continues to be an important part of the suite of measures available to local authorities to provide social housing supports. Funding of €111m is available this year to support both new and existing RAS tenancies. It is expected that approximately 1,400 new tenancies will be established this year.

My Department has completed a review of RAS which was carried out in consultation with the general public and stakeholders (including all local authorities). This review includes 23 recommendations focusing on the future development of the scheme.

The review underscores the important role of RAS in Ireland’s social housing landscape and suggests modifications to ensure its effectiveness and expansion. It is the intention that this re-invigoration and refocusing of RAS will aim to encourage the retention of private landlords in RAS, to continue to ensure housing quality, and provide more immediate access to housing for vulnerable households.

The Implementation phase of the review has begun and my Department has been engaging with each of the 31 local authorities in this regard.

Finally, my Department has secured additional funding for all local authorities for the ongoing administration of RAS, including the sourcing of new accommodation for the scheme.