The eviction ban will not be extended

The Housing Minister has confirmed that the eviction ban will not be extended until the end of this month. Proposals to withdraw the ban are being considered by the cabinet

This follows a discussion between political party leaders and Minister O'Brien last night.

He said it was decided to end the ban on March 31 to avoid further problems.

Legislation is in place to phase out the ban, so some renters will be able to stay in their homes until June

Opposition parties have already criticized the government's approach.

Sinn Féin's spokesman Eoin O'Broin called it shameful and cruel, adding that it would lead to more people becoming homeless.

The Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport Minister said maintaining the ban would act as a "disincentive to people renting" and would result in market contraction and rent increases.

Eamon Ryan said coalition leaders last night discussed "putting in new provisions to protect tenants".

A rental type housing solution involves first refusal if someone sells a property they are in or takes over the property for an approved housing body to run as a cost-effective solution for renters.

Broin said the end of the eviction ban in Ireland would return to a situation where families with children would be forced to seek shelter in Garda stations.

"Emergency accommodation is in many cases full. So they don't even have emergency accommodation to go to and because of Tusla rules, families with children who cannot get emergency accommodation are referred to garda stations to sleep overnight.

'False and Thoughtless'

Green Party TD for Dublin Central Neesa Hourigan said the decision to end the ban on evictions was completely "wrong and thoughtless" and people could lose their homes in the coming weeks.