Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
721. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the cost ceilings provided to each local authority by his Department around the country for the tenant-in-situ scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10116/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTenancy sustainment, or tenant-in-situ, is a priority category under my Department's Second Hand Acquisitions Programme. It is not 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 is an emergency measure and should only be used as a last resort by local authorities when all other options have been exhausted.
I expect the parameters of the 2026 Programme to be notified to local authorities in Q1 this year, with revised Acquisition Cost Guidelines (ACGs) issuing shortly thereafter for each local authority area. While guidelines are updated annually, with the most recent guidelines issuing in Q2 2025, my Department monitors tender price trends throughout the year and all incoming funding applications are considered with these trends in mind.
The ACGs provide cost guidelines for the acquisition of second hand properties for social housing qualified households by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies. They reference lower and upper cost ranges, as well as an average benchmark cost, and reflect the prevailing range of prices across local authorities at the time of issue. They are not applied as absolute ceilings or limits, but benchmarks for the development and costing of scheme designs at capital appraisal stage. Accordingly, my Department considers all acquisition proposals, where the cost of acquiring the property may exceed the guidelines provided, on a case-by-case basis having regard to appropriate value for money considerations.
The guidelines are typically not published as doing so would potentially inhibit State efforts to secure the best outcomes from the investment of public funds. That said, a copy of the guidelines can be provided directly to the Deputy upon request.
