Private Rented Accommodation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 April 2016

Thursday, 14 April 2016

Questions (748)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

748. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the action he is taking to eradicate the practice engaged in by certain landlords whereby students and, to a lesser extent, young professionals are being actively denied the opportunity to enter into lease agreements in order to secure accommodation within the private rental sector; if she is aware of the impact which this discriminatory practice is having on this demographic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6787/16]

Written answers

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

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. The provisions of the Act do not extend to the circumstances under which a landlord seeks a tenant for a property.

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.