No decision has been made on whether to extend the eviction ban, Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien has said. 

On Wednesday, People Before Profit will introduce a motion before the Dáil calling for the ban to be extended beyond 31st March. 

The party describes the eviction ban as a “vital measure that will give tenants minimum but temporary security [and] is the only possible answer to a housing crisis.”

Speaking to Newstalk, Minister O’Brien said the Government was still assessing the situation. 

“No decision has been made regarding the proposed extension of the eviction ban,” he said. 

“It’s important that people know that that’s in place, not just to the end of March, but for most people it’s scaled to 18th June this year. 

“I did say at the time when I brought it in that it was a temporary measure and it would allow us the opportunity to do things like the purchase of homes with tenants in situ - which we’ve been doing right across the country.” 

Housing in Kenmare, County Kerry, Ireland

Minister O’Brien promised an assessment would be completed “over the coming weeks” and said that the measure was “legally complex”. 

The eviction ban was brought in last year by Minister O’Brien in order to “to afford time for housing supply to increase and to reduce the burden on homelessness services”.