Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

336. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide an update on the allocation of funding towards tenant-in-situ schemes for Dublin for 2025. [8176/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Tenant in Situ Acquisitions were introduced by way of Government decision in 2023 as a short term response to the reported uplift in sales by landlords of homes which were within the HAP and RAS schemes in order to prevent potential homelessness where other solutions could not be found for the affected tenants.

A further Government decision extended such acquisitions into 2024 with approval granted for 1,300 Tenant in Situ acquisitions in addition to the 200 priority acquisitions target for 2024 contained in Housing for All.

Tenant in Situ acquisitions have been an important measure in the prevention of homelessness since their introduction in 2023. Government has therefore agreed to continue the programme in 2025. My Department has notified local authorities on the extension of the programme and a circular setting out the arrangements will issue shortly.

Under revised arrangements for second hand acquisitions in 2025 local authorities will receive a capital funding allocation for the acquisition of homes for the following priority categories; tenant in situ, elderly and disabled persons, exits from homelessness and Buy and Renew acquisitions which tackle vacancy. The provision of a capital funding allocation will help promote best practice in obtaining value for money and provide local authorities with the flexibility to respond to needs and priorities locally within the categories of need being prioritised.

Tenant in situ acquisitions continue to be supported and prioritised where other solutions cannot be found for the affected tenants. It is a matter for local authorities to assess the circumstances of each case and decide the appropriate action. The arrangements for 2025 will ensure a more targeted and focussed acquisitions programme. My Department is finalising a circular setting out the arrangements and this will be issued to the sector shortly.