Domestic Violence

Thursday, 11 December 2025

Ceisteanna (434)

Ciarán Ahern

Ceist:

434. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the regulations included in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 to permit victims of domestic abuse to end a joint application and, with the agreement of a landlord and without delay, submit and secure a new application for the same property to ensure the victim, not the perpetrator, can stay in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70959/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

In June, 2022 the Department of Justice published Zero Tolerance, the Third National Strategy on DSGBV 2022-2026. Cuan, the new DSGBV Agency was established in January 2024 will coordinate the implementation of the Strategy. A new implementation plan for 2024 was published 1 April 2024. Under this plan, my Department is leading on updated Action 2.3.5: "Examine the current legislative position on assisting victims of Domestic Violence with emergency and long term accommodation needs. For example in cases such as joint housing tenancy. Consider what guidance can be provided and whether legislative change is appropriate".

An examination of the current housing legislative position regarding joint local authority social housing tenancies has taken place, however further work is required to consider the implications of the review, including whether legislative change is appropriate in such cases. This is a complex area and requires detailed and careful analysis, which is ongoing.