Calls for Tipp TDs to support extension of eviction ban

Tipperary Sinn Féin TD Martin Browne and councillors Tony Black and David Dunne have called on Tipperary TDs Jackie Cahill, Alan Kelly, Mattie McGrath and Michael Lowry to support Sinn Féin’s motion to extend the ban on evictions this week.

Deputy Browne added that with emergency accommodation across the state at breaking point, most of the 300 households and individuals facing eviction in April will have nowhere to go.

The motion was debated in the Dáil yesterday and voted on this evening (Wednesday).

Teachta Browne said: “I am calling on Deputies Cahill, Kelly, McGrath and Lowry to indicate whether they will support Sinn Féin’s call to extend the eviction ban.

“Next month 117 eviction notices will fall due in Co Tipperary”, Deputy Browne told the Tribune.

“These individuals and working families now face being made homeless in April, as a direct result of the government’s decision to end the eviction ban.

“Where are they supposed to live? The reality is most have nowhere to go”, Deputy Browne said.

Cllr Black said: “It is blatantly clear that the government has no plan to deal with the 3000 eviction notices across the state that the Residential Tenancies Board tell us will fall due in April, or the thousands more that will fall due in the coming months.

“The reality is there are working families, single people and pensioners who will have nowhere to go.

Cllr Dunne said: “It is unacceptable that we have heard nothing from the Taoiseach, Tánaiste or Minister for Housing
about what support those people will receive in the coming months.

“It is even worse if TDs in Tipperary are willing to stand over that.

“That is why they must support our motion to extend the ban on evictions.

Teachta Browne concluded: “Those TDs can work with us to urge the government to see sense and extend the ban on evictions, and put in place an ambitious series of emergency measures in the months ahead to reduce the number of people becoming homeless and to increase and accelerate the supply of social and affordable homes.”

On Sunday, the Labour Party said it would put down a motion of no confidence in the Government before the end of the month if it did not change course.

Sinn Féin’s housing spokesman, Eoin Ó Broin, said it had a slot in private members’ time on Tuesday week and was “considering all options for that” with a decision to be made later this week.