asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the exorbitant rents that are being charged to families seeking accommodation in flats or rooms in the city of Dublin owned by private individuals; and if he will arrange for an investigation of such charges with a view to ensuring that the difficulties of the citizens of Dublin in procuring accommodation will not be exploited.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Accommodation Rents.
47.
Lettings of unfurnished or insufficiently furnished rooms and non-selfcontained flats in houses built before 1941 are subject to the full control of the Rent Restrictions Act, 1960, both as regards the amount of rent the landlord may charge and the tenant's security of tenure. Tenants of most of these controlled rooms or flats in Dublin may avail themselves of the special facilities provided under Part III of the Act with the object of enabling them to have the lawful rent provisionally fixed without formality or expense. As regards furnished lettings these have been free of control since 1923. Rooms or flats in houses built since 1941 are also free of control, as well as self-contained flats constructed in pre-1941 houses since the passing of the 1960 Act.
I am aware that the level of rents for uncontrolled rooms or flats has increased substantially in recent years, partly owing to the growing demand for this type of accommodation, especially in areas convenient to the city centre, but I have not received any significant volume of complaints in the matter.
In the circumstances, I do not at present propose making an investigation of uncontrolled rents in Dublin but I shall keep the situation under review.
If these complaints are received, what would the Department consider doing about them?
We would have another look at the matter but the fact is that we are not receiving any volume of complaints at the moment.
Is the Minister aware that the complaints are there but people do not know their rights or that the Department would give sympathetic consideration to cases of this kind?
It is of far more fundamental importance that we should continue to have this accommodation provided. There is a danger that if one enters on the field suggested by the Deputy, that type of accommodation would not be built.
Mr. O'Leary
The difficulty is to know what makes up a furnished room. They become uncontrolled if they are in any way furnished. If you put a chair into a room, it is furnished. This is a rather technical point which gives rise to the difficulty.
That is a question for interpretation by the courts and I am certain they will take a reasonable view.
The Minister will not do anything about it?
(Interruptions.)