Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne has criticised Housing Minister James Browne’s failure to meet with Dublin City Council to discuss the tenant-in-situ scheme.
Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said:
“Dublin’s Lord Mayor has written to the Minister three times to request a meeting to discuss the tenant-in-situ scheme. The only engagement from his office was a one-line email advising that the Minister could not facilitate a meeting on the scheme at this time. This is despite the fact that the mayor’s correspondence did not even propose a specific date for a meeting.
“Dublin city councillors have confirmed that large portions of the tenant-in-situ funding are already committed to closing 2024 acquisitions – but it is not known how much exactly.
“In response to a parliamentary question I submitted, the percentage of funding drawn down by local authorities was confirmed, but there was no breakdown of how much of this was committed to last year’s acquisitions.
“This means that local authorities around the country have no idea what specific funding the scheme has for 2025, which leaves a number of acquisitions already commenced this year hanging in the balance.
“It is appalling that one of the most effective anti-homelessness tools available to local authorities is being gutted and the Minister is refusing to engage with Dublin City Council on this issue. It is truly shocking that while the Minister is claiming to be doing everything possible to fix the housing crisis, here he is putting up barriers to keeping people in their homes.
“It is very disrespectful, and deeply worrying, that the Minister should treat elected representatives in Dublin City Council in this manner.”
May 13, 2025