Concluding observations of the CESCR on the fourth periodic report of Ireland

 

The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights concluded its consideration of the fourth periodic report of Ireland in March 2024. 

 

In relation to the right to adequate housing, the Committee recognises the State's efforts in tackling the housing crisis but is worried about the ongoing gap between housing supply and demand. Rising rental costs hit marginalised groups hardest. Lack of social housing means people are forced into private rentals that often don't meet basic standards like affordability and security. Homelessness, especially among vulnerable groups, is a big concern. There's not enough support for poor tenants and not enough done to stop evictions. Travellers and Roma communities also lack suitable housing options, which needs addressing.

 

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1. Adopt all measures necessary to address the housing deficit by ensuring a sufficient supply of housing, in particular social housing units,  , including middle- and low-income individuals and households, young people, migrants and persons with disabilities, and be guided by the Committee’s general comment No. 4 (1991) on the right to adequate housing;
2. Take corrective measures to address inadequate housing, including substandard housing conditions and uninhabitable housing;
3. Ensure adequate access to culturally appropriate accommodation for Traveller and Roma communities, including by increasing local authorities’ culturally appropriate housing stock, as appropriate, and ensuring that steps are taken to avoid all forms of discrimination in the provision of accommodation;
4. Ensure that evictions, when unavoidable and taken as measures of last resort, are carried out in accordance with due process of law, are preceded by consultation with the persons concerned and consideration of alternatives, are subject to appeal and result in adequate compensation or the provision of adequate alternative housing, and be guided by the Committee’s general comment No. 7 (1997) on forced evictions.

E/C.12/IRL/CO/4, Economic and Social Council, 20 March 2024