Vol. 550 No. 1
36 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the progress regarding the implementation of the Government's response to the recommendations of the Commission on the Private Rented Sector, published in January 2000; if the general scheme of a Bill to provide additional protection for tenants has been submitted to Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6973/02]
Certain tax and supply incentives recommended by the Commission on the private rented residential sector were introduced in of the Finance Act, 2001. The current Finance Bill will reintroduce full interest deductibility for residential property investments after 1 January 2002, as well as apply the non-first-time owner-occupier stamp duty rates to purchases by investors. The reforms recommended by the commission in the areas of security of tenure, rents, graduated notice periods, registration of tenancy details, tenancy obligations and dispute resolution by a private residential tenancies board require implementation by way of primary legislation. The Government approved the general scheme of a Housing (Private Rented Sector) Bill for urgent drafting on 5 February 2002. This is now being carried out by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel to the Government. This Bill is listed in the Government's current legislative programme for publication by mid-year.
