Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne has welcomed a U-turn by Housing Minister James Browne following his initial refusal to meet Dublin City Council to discuss the tenant-in-situ scheme – but has now called on him to extend this engagement to all local authorities.
Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said:
“It is regrettable that the Minister only agreed to meet with Dublin City Council after I raised this issue in the Dáil, having originally failed to do so when the Lord Mayor wrote to him on three separate occasions.
“I would like to commend members of Dublin City Council, particularly Social Democrats councillors, for their ongoing focus and work on the tenant-in-situ scheme.
“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. However, this is not a situation that is unique to Dublin, with urgent clarity on funding allocations needed by local authorities around the country.
“In response to a parliamentary question I submitted, the Minister said it is a matter for local authorities to decide how they use this funding. However, local authorities feel they have not been empowered or supported by the Department due to the lack of clarity on how much they would be funded for until Q2 of 2025.
“The Minister’s unilateral decision not to engage with local authorities so early in his tenure has caused widespread uncertainty and is undermining the potential of the scheme to help ease the housing crisis. I am now asking the Minister to commit to addressing chief executives/housing SEOs in all local authorities to clarify his rationale for that decision.”
May 14, 2025