Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
974. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce legislation which will prevent landlords refusing tenants on the basis that they are in receipt of rent allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38799/13]
View answerWhile the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants in the private residential rented sector covering, inter alia, security of tenure and the termination of tenancies it does not deal with the business decision a landlord makes in choosing to enter into a tenancy with a tenant. I have no plans to amend the legislation in this regard.
The Equal Status Acts 2000 – 2004, which come under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality, provide protection against direct and indirect discrimination outside of employment on a range of grounds. Being in receipt of rent supplement is not among these grounds.
