Private Residential Tenancies Board Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2015

Tuesday, 17 November 2015

Questions (588)

Barry Cowen

Question:

588. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of vacancies on the Private Residential Tenancies Board's dispute resolution committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40679/15]

Written answers

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

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

Section 159 of the Act provides for a Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) of up to 40 members including the Chairperson. Members of the committee are appointed by the Board after consultation with the Minister. The PRTB initiated a competitive process for new appointments to the DRC in 2014 and there are currently 40 members on the committee.

The Residential Tenancies Amendment (No. 2) Bill 2012, currently before the Oireachtas, provides that, inter alia, members of the Board may no longer sit on the DRC. A panel remains in place from which committee members may be drawn if required.