Louth TD says no guidance given to local authority ahead of eviction ban

“No guidance, no direction and no policy, is what Dundalk TD Ruairí Ó Murchú says the government has given to local authorities ahead of the eviction ban that came to an end last Saturday.

The Sinn Féin deputy says he tried three times in Leinster House last week to get an answer from government, including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, about the parameters of the proposed tenant in situ scheme for those in HAP tenancies, but did not receive a response.

He also raised it with Minister Malcolm Noonan, and has he says, last weekend, written to the government asking for clarity about the tenant in situ scheme.

Deputy Ó Murchú said: “In the wake of the eviction ban ending on April 1, we find ourselves in a situation where there are no clear and accessible guidelines as to how the much vaunted tenant in situ scheme will operate for people here in Louth and around the State.

“On Friday, I spoke to a woman who has been renting in Dundalk for many years, who was told by her landlord that the property is going to be sold.

“When the constituent was asking me about the possibility of Louth County Council buying the house it is not immediately clear whether this is possible or not.

“I have been in touch with Louth County Council and I understand there is more flexibility than there was previously when it comes to the tenant in situ purchase scheme, but there are different policies being implemented by various local authorities.”

He continued: “How has it come to be that the eviction ban, which has been in place for months, was lifted without any proper guidance to local authorities about which houses they can buy? How is it all going to be assessed, accessed and who is going to do it?

“Is there a uniform plan for all county councils? What we need is clarity from government about what the details of the scheme are.

“I understand that Louth County Council has discussed the issue with the Department of Housing but clarity is needed across the board.

“There definitely needs to be clarity about where the resources for all this are going to come from and whether there will be funding immediately available for repairs to homes purchased under this scheme and where the money will come from into the future for the maintenance of these properties once bought by the council.

“The government need to provide clarity on the proposed solution for some facing eviction who are not on the housing list and that needs to come quickly.”

Deputy Ó Murchú said there is also concern about the burden that the scheme and the expected increase in homelessness is going to have on local authorities.

He said: “The situation is very difficult for councils, brought about by the government making sweeping statements about so-called solutions to the ending of the eviction ban, but providing no details, no guidance, no additional resources for councils.

“There is a concern that homeless services in Louth would be overwhelmed with the numbers coming to them seeking help.

“This situation of course just leads to added stress and worry for those who will be receiving eviction notices this week and proves that the crisis is only going to get worse.”