Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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1177. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason a person was directed to Fingal County Council regarding the Tenant in Situ Scheme by his Department; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the allocation of €20 million for the scheme had already been exhausted within the first six months of the year; his plans to allocate supplementary funding to ensure the continuation of the scheme for the remainder of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45340/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Following the Government's decision to continue the Tenant in Situ scheme in 2025, funding of €325m was approved for 2nd hand social housing acquisitions, including Tenant in Situ acquisitions.  However, my Department's main emphasis remains on constructing new homes and that must be priority for all local authorities, including Fingal County Council which received an initial allocation of €20m for 2025.  As of the end of August, Fingal County Council has only drawn down €10.3m.

Current data suggests not all local authorities will spend their funding allocation this year and this provides flexibility for other authorities to do more. With full understanding as to the importance and urgent nature of the need for additional homes for those experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, government has recently agreed an additional €50m to further expand the 2025 acquisitions programme. Revised budget allocations which are informed by updated data provided by local authorities will be determined and communicated to local authorities in the coming days.  

Additionally, the recently agreed NDP capital funding envelope to 2030 now provides greater capital funding certainty for 2026 and subsequent years.  

To provide funding certainty to local authorities in respect of acquisitions being contemplated but less likely to be closed and recouped in 2025, local authorities have been authorised to enter into funding commitments on additional acquisitions which will fall due for payment in 2026.  There is no reason therefore why Fingal County Council cannot continue their acquisitions programme. 

Under legislation, local authorities are independent in the performance of their functions. As such it is a matter for individual local authorities to determine the most appropriate way to prioritise which acquisitions to pursue based on the needs within their area, including Tenant in Situ.  In doing so, local authorities will have regard to the scheme criteria and their funding allocation while at the same time supporting anyone who is in threat of homelessness via their Tenancy Sustainment and Placefinder services.