Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 February 2024
77. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many tenant-in-situ applications in 2023 to date in 2024; how many applications were successful, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6890/24]
View answer79. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the lack of transparency for those who have been turned down for the tenant-in-situ scheme as to the reason they were unsuccessful in their application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6967/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 79 together.
For 2023, Government agreed an increased provision for social housing acquisitions and my Department provided funding for local authorities to acquire at least 1,500 social homes. The additional acquisitions have focused particularly on properties where a tenant is in receipt of social housing supports and has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. My Department issued a circular letter in March 2023, setting out details of these arrangements and each local authority was provided with a provisional allocation for social housing acquisitions in 2023. Local authorities have delegated sanction in relation to these acquisitions, subject to those acquisitions being within Acquisition Cost Guidelines issued by the Department. As such, applications are a matter for the local authorities.
My Department does not hold data, therefore, on the number of social housing acquisitions applications that have been withdrawn or rejected, nor on the reasons for such withdrawals or rejections. Further information may be available from individual local authorities.
My Department publishes comprehensive statistics on a quarterly basis on social and affordable housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority, including completed acquisitions. From 2023, this data includes a breakdown of acquisitions where a Notice of Termination issued. www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/
