Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
448. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider introducing an appeals mechanism for tenant-in-situ refusals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71177/25]
View answerThe administration of acquisitions under the Second Hand Acquisitions Programme, including for tenancy sustainment (via tenant in situ), is delegated to the local authorities.
Critically, 'tenant in situ' is not a scheme. Rather it is a policy tool available to local authorities to prevent social housing supported households in the private rented sector from falling into homelessness. It should only be used as a last resort by local authorities when all other options have been exhausted. Accordingly, as it is not a scheme, and there is no application or 'expression of interest' process for landlords or tenants, there can be no appeal mechanism. Ultimately, it is for each local authority to determine whether a tenant in situ acquisition is the appropriate policy response in a given situation.
