Residential Tenancies and Valuation Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages
Seanad Éireann — 2020-07-31
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Peter Burke (FG), Longford-Westmeath

In terms of the notice period of 28 days, I remind the Senator that there are supports available, including through MABS, community welfare offices and the rent supplement scheme. Community welfare officers are turning around applications within three days. Things have improved drastically in terms of the supports that are there to help people who are struggling to pay their rent. We are very much focused in this Bill on the Covid-19 emergency and trying to safeguard people in tenancies who are vulnerable through the effects of the pandemic. The various schemes are in place and the pathway for people in that situation is very clear. As I said, there are supports for tenants who find themselves facing a 28-day notification. One of the big issues we have identified in the Department is the low take-up of the rent supplement scheme. That is something we want to highlight and address further. In the meantime, supports from the State are in place and applications are being turned around quickly.

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Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:48:31+00:00
Sitting date: 2020-07-31