Housing Policy

Tuesday, 13 January 2026

Questions (1490, 1491, 1492, 1493)

Colm Burke

Question:

1490. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to concerns regarding the proposed six-year tenancy requirement contained in forthcoming residential tenancies legislation, particularly in cases where families are availing of the fair deal nursing home loan scheme; if he accepts that the proposed measure may create a conflict with the requirement to repay nursing home loans within one year of a resident’s death; if any exemptions or safeguards are being considered prior to enactment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2203/26]

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Colm Burke

Question:

1491. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered the impact of the proposed six-year tenancy requirement on executors administering estates under the fair deal nursing home loan scheme; if he accepts that the proposed measure may prevent executors from selling properties in a timely manner in order to discharge debts and distribute estates; if he will consider amending the proposed legislation to allow for short-term tenancies or termination of leases in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2204/26]

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Colm Burke

Question:

1492. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he acknowledges that, in the context of the fair deal scheme, while properties may technically be sold with tenants in situ, doing so may significantly reduce the value of an estate and conflict with executors’ fiduciary duties; if this issue has been considered in the drafting of the proposed six-year tenancy requirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2205/26]

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Colm Burke

Question:

1493. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide clarity on the way in which the proposed six-year tenancy requirement is intended to operate in cases involving fair deal loan repayments and estate administration; if guidance or exemptions will be included in the legislation prior to enactment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2207/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1490, 1491, 1492 and 1493 together.

On 14 October 2025, the Government approved the General Scheme of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2025, which is now the subject of priority legal drafting by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

The Bill will include a number of provisions to mitigate the impact of 6 year Tenancies of Minimum Duration (TMDs) on a smaller landlord (i.e. a landlord who is not a company and has 3 or fewer tenancies). A smaller landlord will be allowed to terminate a tenancy at any time during a 6 year TMD if the landlord intends to sell the rented dwelling due to financial hardship (to be prescribed in law) and does not wish to do so with the tenant(s) in situ. The matters raised are being considering during the legal drafting process.

The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2026 will be published in the coming weeks and will be subject to debate, and open to amendment, during the legislative process in the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Question No. 1491 answered with Question No. 1490.

Question No. 1492 answered with Question No. 1490.

Question No. 1493 answered with Question No. 1490.