Depaul Deeply Concerned About Implications of Regressive New Housing

and Residential Tenancies Bill

 

Dublin, 8th of July, 2026 : –Depaul, as one of the main providers of temporary accommodation across the island of Ireland, is deeply concerned about the Housing and Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 and we have been alarmed and dismayed at the process which was followed in advancing this Bill including the rushing of it through without normal consultation and consideration. Depaul believes that this rushed legislation will add to the escalating homeless crisis in the country – greatly affecting individuals and children and their families.

Commenting on the bill David Carroll, CEO of Depaul said: “As we digest the amendments which have been introduced we find ourselves deeply frustrated at what is clearly a disregard to the concerns aired by those working at the frontline of this homelessness crisis. Whereas clarity and joined up thinking is what we need –  this bill creates a range of new uncertainties about access to emergency accommodation and how vulnerable people will be treated. This regressive legislation will have profound effects on the most vulnerable people in our society.

“We have many concerns – not least of which is that the legislation means that only those who can prove to local authority staff that they are ‘habitually resident’ in Ireland will get access to shelter if they are homeless. Our concern is this will require detailed paperwork which people are unlikely to have if their situation is urgent or they have been evicted or are going through a mental health crisis as we so often see with service users presenting to our services. These limitations placed on what is the provision of emergency accommodation for those who do not meet residency requirements feels like a very big step backwards.”

“We are also greatly concerned about the potential for summary withdrawal of services by a housing authority. For those who do not meet these residency criteria, housing authorities are permitted to provide accommodation only between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. the following day. This ‘night-to-night’ approach lacks the stability required to help individuals transition out of homelessness – which feels like a regression step and exactly what no one should want to see.

Depaul has fought long and hard to eliminate one night only beds from the temporary accommodation system and as one of the biggest providers of temporary accommodation beds in the country we view the fact that this will be enshrined into legislation as a huge retrograde step. In terms of families and children while the Bill mandates that authorities ‘have regard to the best interests of that child’ when arranging accommodation for a person with a residing minor, we argue that this ‘regard’ is not a strong enough legal guarantee to prevent families from being subjected to the new ‘night-only’ or service withdrawal rules. On top of this the guarantees and best interests come after the decision has been made about the eligibility of the child and their family which means we have no doubt this will leave children at risk of homelessness.”

“This all feels like a rushed job and one which we strongly feel has not been thought through and will lead to an increase in homelessness and rough sleeping. We also feel the need to remind the minister that the blame for the current crisis is as a result of resourcing pressures – namely, a significant shortage of housing and poor planning – and not as a result of the action of vulnerable individuals in the housing system.”

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For media queries contact: Colette Campbell: Communications & Advocacy Depaul – colette.campbell@depaulcharity.net