Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:87. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the cost rental tenant-in-situ scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48091/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 25 June 2026
Ceisteanna (87)
Freagraí scríofa
The Cost Rental Tenant In-Situ (CRTiS) Scheme was introduced as an interim, emergency measure in 2023, and it remains an important part of the Government's overall response to homelessness. Supporting individuals and families at risk of experiencing homelessness is a priority for the Government, as reflected in the new Housing Plan: Delivery Homes, Building Communities. The Scheme is designed to protect tenants in private rental homes who are not in receipt of social housing supports and who are at risk of homelessness because a landlord has served a valid Notice of Termination due to an intention to sell the property.
The new plan reflects the Government's determination to ensure that as we invest in building new homes for people right across the country, that we also ensure that those who are already in a home have the necessary supports to stay there when circumstances beyond their control change. I am glad to report that the CRTiS Scheme has proven effective in supporting tenants at risk of homelessness, and thankfully it has involved only a relatively small number of cases overall. It nonetheless remains open and is available to those who need it.
Since the Scheme was introduced, 266 households have been supported in staying in their home to the end of 2025. Under the Scheme, the relevant Local Authority conducts the initial assessment for eligibility of the tenant for this Scheme and refers potential cases to the Housing Agency. The Agency is responsible for administering and managing the Scheme on behalf of my Department.
The primary tenant eligibility condition for the CRTiS Scheme is the same as that for accessing Cost Rental housing, which is a maximum net annual household income of €66,000 for Dublin and €59,000 in the rest of Ireland. This figure is net of income tax, PRSI, USC and superannuation contributions. Where a person is deemed eligible, the Housing Agency enters into a process to acquire the property, if suitable. If acquired, a secure tenancy agreement is put in place and the tenant can remain in their home. So far, to date, just over €100 million has been invested in acquiring homes under the Scheme by the Housing Agency.
Looking to the future, my Department is seeking to find a more long-term arrangement for the management of these properties and the tenancy agreements. This will not impact on the existing tenants' security of tenure but rather will seek to bring the Scheme within the parameters of the mainstream Cost Rental sector. The Department is working to develop the mechanism for this transition, assisted by the Section 31B of the Affordable Housing Act 2021, which allows me to designate properties as Cost Rental dwellings with a tenant already in place. My officials are engaging with the Housing Agency to develop a pathway forward for this transition.
In the meantime, I will be looking to bring forward an amendment to the Affordable Housing Act to apply the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act to existing CRTiS tenancies. This is a belt and braces provision to provide protection for CRTiS tenants by giving them access to the dispute resolution mechanisms of the Residential Tenancies Board and ensure that the rental control mechanisms will also apply.