Departmental Bodies Establishment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2012

Tuesday, 6 November 2012

Questions (759)

Seán Fleming

Question:

759. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the steering group to oversee independent assessment being undertaken by consultants on the establishment of a tenancy deposit protection scheme was established; the person who is chairperson of this group; the membership of same; the number of meetings that have been held; the number of reports and conclusions issued; the action taken or to be taken as a result of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48725/12]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

On foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government 2011 to introduce a tenancy deposit protection scheme I asked the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) to commission research on such a scheme and to report back to me with recommendations.

A steering group to oversee this research was established in May 2012 with representation from my Department, the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency and the PRTB. The Group is chaired by Mr. David Silke of the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency, and it has met on 2 occasions to date. I understand that a draft final report has been submitted to the steering group and that I will receive a finalised report and recommendations shortly. I will consider the scope for actions arising from the report in the context of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012.

Questions Nos. 760 and 761 answered with Question No. 730.