The opposition TD has called for an extension of the eviction ban as ruling party leaders meet Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien on Tuesday.
The eviction ban is effective from the end of October 2022 until the end of this month.
Speaking to RTÉ’s The Week in Politics, Education Minister Norma Foley said a fully informed decision” would be made on whether or not to extend the ban.
Minister Foley said the meeting with Minister O’Brien “will be followed by a discussion and analysis at Cabinet in relation to the opportunities that exist”, reports RTE.
She said the eviction ban was an emergency measure and was temporary.
“However I think we need to look at everything in its broadest context and of course we need to be advised by the Attorney General. We must look at all aspects of the eviction ban, the implications, but also it is side by side with all the other measures that are being introduced as well,” she said, reports RTE.
Sinn Féin TD Lewis O’Reilly said the eviction ban was an emergency measure and that “the emergency is not over”, reports RTE.
She said the ban needed to be extended because the government needed to build social and affordable homes and that the ban gave “them time to get their act together”, reports RTE.
People Before Profit Solidarity TD Richard Boyd Barrett said the eviction ban is in place to prevent worsening an already dire situation.
“There will be thousands of children, elderly and sick people who will be left homeless if the government are mad enough and cruel enough to lift the eviction ban,” he said, reports RTE.
Minister Foley said 30,000 homes were supplied last year.
“So we are seeing the issues of supply being tackled. We need to look at everything in the round. I do believe it is not one single measure that will tackle housing issues and that has been the view of Minister O’ Brien,” she said, reports RTE.
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