Michael Fitzmaurice TD asked the Minister for Housing: Rental Sector

Michael Fitzmaurice, the independent TD for Roscommon‑Galway who recently joined the newly formed Independent Ireland party, raised a question in the Dáil on 11 June 2026 to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. He asked whether any landlords had seen their HAP payments reinstated or reimbursed during the COVID‑19 moratorium period. The issue concerns cases where HAP payments were earlier suspended because tenants failed to pay their local authority contribution, but landlords were prevented by temporary government policy from issuing a rent adjustment. Fitzmaurice sought clarification on whether any such reinstatements or reimbursements had taken place and what the circumstances were.

The question reflects ongoing concerns about the impact of pandemic‑era housing support measures on landlords in rural counties like Roscommon. It also follows his recent move to Independent Ireland, a party that has attracted other independent TDs such as Michael McCarthy and John O’Connor. The inquiry was tabled during a session where ministers were asked to explain how the HAP scheme had been affected by COVID‑19 policy changes.

For more details, see the Oireachtas record of his question.

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