Tom Brabazon
Ceist:269. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will consider removing the two-year tenancy rule on tenant in situ applications. [53009/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 7 October 2025
Ceisteanna (269)
Freagraí scríofa
Revisions to the Second Hand Acquisitions Programme will be considered in the context of the roll-out of next year's programme, with any revisions communicated to local authorities with their respective 2026 budget allocations early next year.
The acquisition of second hand homes as a tenancy sustainment measure is a policy tool available to local authorities as a last resort, when all other options have been exhausted, to prevent HAP and RAS supported households from falling into homelessness. Importantly, the 'two year eligibility criterion' applying to tenant in situ acquisitions applies to the property rather than an individual tenancy. Accordingly, regardless of the duration of an individual tenancy, an acquisition may be eligible under the Second Hand Acquisitions Programme where the property in question has been rented to social housing supported tenants for a continuous period of at least two years.
My Department continues to engage with local authorities on challenges emerging to ensure tenant in situ acquisitions remain an option in 2025 where other solutions cannot be found.
There is not a two year tenancy rule in place currently in respect of tenant in situ acquisitions.