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Private Residential Tenancies Board

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 April 2014

Tuesday, 15 April 2014

Questions (430)

Clare Daly

Question:

430. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 374 of 8 April 2014, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are inordinate delays in the processing of cases conducted by the Private Residential Tenancies Board; and his plans to reform this organisation. [17813/14]

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Written answers

The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants in the private rented residential sector. The Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Act to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants in the sector.

The PRTB replaces the Courts for the vast majority of landlord and tenant disputes. For a fee of €25, parties to a dispute can apply to the PRTB for adjudication or mediation services. If either of the parties to the dispute is unhappy with the decision of an adjudicator, they can appeal that decision to the tenancy Tribunal within 21 days of the date of receiving the decision. Tribunals are heard by a panel of three members of the Dispute Resolution Committee of the PRTB. An adjudication decision that is not appealed to the Tribunal within 21 days will become a binding Determination Order of the PRTB. In instances of non-compliance, parties can request enforcement of such Orders through the Courts.

Demand for the PRTB’s services has grown significantly in recent years, reflecting the very sizable growth in the private rented sector. At the same time, the moratorium on recruitment and promotion introduced in March 2009 has presented challenges for the delivery of services across the public sector, including at the PRTB. The Board has responded to these challenges by pursuing a programme of outsourcing, shared services and improved ICT systems.

An online registration system was launched in November 2010, online dispute management services were introduced in 2012 and a programme of shared services has involved electronic tracking of legal documentation and, most recently, the launch in 2013 of a quarterly rent index in association with the Central Statistics Office.

In addition to these efficiency measures, legislative changes are in train in support of the work of the PRTB. In November 2012 I introduced the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, currently before the Seanad, which will, inter alia, streamline and simplify aspects of the Act to assist the Board in meeting its service obligations. The Government recently approved the drafting of amendments to the Bill which include measures to address long-standing issues such as deposit retention and the non-payment of rent in dispute cases, which are the most common dispute types brought before the Board, accounting for close to 37% of all dispute types in 2012. The Bill will also provide for the separation of the governance and quasi-judicial functions of the Board and will simplify the mediation process.

I am confident that the Board will continue to discharge its statutory obligations in an independent, fair and efficient manner. My Department continues to keep the resources available to the PRTB under close review and engages regularly with the Board on this and other matters.

Question No. 431 answered with Question No. 393.
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