Written Answers Nos. 306-327
306. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way he has arrived at a mooted figure of €400 million for County Clare given there is no quantification of the scale of the defective concrete block issue as of yet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62478/21]
View answerI brought a Memorandum to Government on 30 November 2021, setting out proposals for improvements to the existing Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme.
Included as part of these improvements, I, as Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, may, with Government approval, extend the scheme beyond the counties of Donegal and Mayo to additional counties, where the evidence supports such an extension.
My Department is in advanced discussions with Clare County Council on the outstanding requirements necessary to support an extension of the scheme to county Clare.
My Department has not released any cost estimates for the remediation of affected homes on a county by county basis.
307. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of a project (details supplied) in County Mayo; the progress since being announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62485/21]
View answerThe Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) was launched in 2018 to support more compact and sustainable development. The Fund is providing part-funding for projects that will enable a greater proportion of residential and mixed-use development to be delivered within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and large towns, while also ensuring that more parts of our urban areas can become attractive and vibrant places in which people choose to live and work, as well as to invest and to visit. Through the URDF, successful applicants are receiving targeted integrated support for innovative holistic solutions to the issues that have hindered the regeneration and rejuvenation of our large towns and cities.
With regard to the approved proposals in question, in March this year I announced provisional funding of €11,027,500 for Mayo County Council for their successful Call 2 projects - Castlebar Historic Core Reactivation Initiative Project (€8,527,500) and Castlebar Military Barracks Project (€2,500,000).
This is in addition to the €141,391 allocated to Mayo County Council under Call 1 for the now completed project master planning and design works required for the multi-phase for the Castlebar Military Barracks project.
While my Department works closely and communicates regularly with Mayo County Council in respect of project funding, responsibility for the advancement of these URDF supported projects through the various stages of planning, development and completion is, in the first instance, a matter for the Sponsoring Agency, Mayo County Council.
In this regard, it should be noted that all URDF supported projects must be carefully developed and managed by the Sponsoring Agency in accordance with the normal conditions and arrangements that apply to public sector managed projects including, exercising appropriate cost control and delivering projects as approved, and in full compliance with the Public Spending Code.
308. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of a programme (details supplied), in tabular form; the project spend to date; the estimated timeline for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62487/21]
View answerThe Deputy is referring to funding under the current Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme. The table at the following link sets out project progress status, amount of funding recouped by my Department and the projected completion date by year, as estimated by Mayo County Council, for schemes/projects within their functional area under the current 2019-2021 cycle of the Programme.
GWS (Group Water Scheme), CWC (Community Water Connection), LA (Local Authority)
309. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if applications have been received regarding new connections under the rural water programme for townlands (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62488/21]
View answerThe locations named in the details supplied are not included as part of any Community Water Connections project listed for funding in the current Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2021.
The Rural Water Working Group appointed by my Department is currently considering the scope of the upcoming Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2022-2024. I expect to receive a submission based on the recommendations of the Group early in the new year.
The bids process for the upcoming multi-annual programme will commence as quickly as possible after I have had an opportunity to consider the submission. It will then be a matter for the community at the locations named in the details supplied, working in partnership with the local authority, to consider seeking funding under the appropriate measure.
310. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that HAP inspections are being outsourced to private companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62502/21]
View answerThe minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 and specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical installations.
The regulations apply to all private rented accommodation, not just those dwellings where the tenancy is supported by Housing Assistance Payments (HAP).
All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these Regulations. Responsibility for enforcement of the Regulations rests with the relevant local authority. Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible.
Housing for All – the Government’s housing plan to 2030 - sets a target for the inspection of rental properties, which is 25% of all private residential tenancies, as soon as Covid-19 public health restrictions permit. Exchequer funding of €10 million will be made available to local authorities in 2022 to help them reach their inspection targets.
311. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding his Department will deliver to local authorities to ensure that they can employ a full-time vacant homes officer from January 2021. [62503/21]
View answerSince 2018, my Department has made funding of €50,000 per annum available to each local authority to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office including a vacant homes officer. Housing for All commits to ensuring that vacant homes officers are full-time officers. The provision of central funding reinforces the capacity of local authorities to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction with a view to increasing the opportunities for residential development.
In October 2021, my Department communicated with each local authority on the continuation of this funding into 2022 to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office supporting local authorities funding of a vacant homes officer. My Department will be communicating further with local authorities, subsequent to the forthcoming launch of the town centre first policy, with a particular focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction to support the regeneration of town centres.
312. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a funding application was received under the Urban Regeneration Development Fund for Blackpool from Cork City Council in 2020; and if so, the reason this was rejected. [62504/21]
View answerThe Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) was launched in 2018 to support more compact and sustainable development. The URDF is one of four funds established under the National Development Plan 2018-2027 and my Department has responsibility for its implementation.
The Fund is providing part-funding for applicant led projects that will enable a greater proportion of residential and mixed-use development to be delivered within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and large towns, while also ensuring that more parts of our urban areas can become attractive and vibrant places in which people choose to live and work, as well as to invest and to visit.
The URDF, as a key activator of the National Planning Framework (NPF) and Project Ireland 2040, is supporting a programme of significant transformational capital projects that will contribute to the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s five cities and other large towns, in line with the objectives of the NPF and PI 2040. All applications for URDF support are assessed in terms of their alignment with the intended purpose of the URDF programme and also their viability before being considered for approval.
To date there have been two calls for proposals under the URDF, the second of which was launched in January 2020. No funding application was received, under that call, from Cork City Council in respect of Blackpool.
313. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is an obligation on a property owner to pay outstanding derelict site levies upon the sale of a property. [62505/21]
View answerWhere monies are owed under the derelict site levy, including any interest chargeable for late payment, they become a charge on the land concerned under section 24 of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 (the Act) until they are paid. Where the ownership of the land on which the levy is due is transferred, such as on foot of being sold, the local authority must be notified under section 29 of the Act. When a local authority is notified by any person of a transfer of land or an interest in land, it shall cause the appropriate entry in the register to be amended. These are statutory provisions under the Act and the levy remains a charge on the land until it is paid by the registered owner.
Section 23 of the Act enables local authorities, at their discretion, to provide that levy due may be paid by instalments. Section 26 of the Act further provides that local authorities may, at their discretion and for a specified period, temporarily suspend payment of the levy on hardship grounds but that the levy due shall remain a charge on the land and the registered property owner after that specified period until the amount due is paid.
314. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the derelict sites legislation grants a provision for delay of placement on the register in a situation whereby a person intends to dispose of dereliction; and if there is a time limit on this delay. [62506/21]
View answerSection 8(2) of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 provides as follows:
“Before making any entry on the register in relation to any land, the local authority shall give to any owner and occupier, where they can be ascertained by reasonable enquiry, notice of their intention to make such entry and shall consider any representations any owner or occupier may make in writing within such period as may be specified in the notice and may either make the entry or not as they think proper having regard to such representations."
In line with this provision, the owner or occupier of a derelict site on whom notice has been served of the intention of the local authority to include the land in question in it's derelict sites register should, in the first instance, be provided with an opportunity to make representations to the local authority in relation to the matter within a specified time period. It is a matter for the local authority concerned to determine, having regard to any representations received, whether or not to include the land in question in its derelict sites register.
315. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of HAP tenancies enacted to date in 2021, by local authority; and the cost of HAP, by local authority, in tabular form. [62507/21]
View answerThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a flexible and immediate housing support that is available to all eligible households throughout the State. At the end of Q3 2021 there were more than 62,000 households in receipt of HAP and over 33,600 separate landlords and agents providing accommodation to households supported by the scheme.
In respect of the provision of HAP funding, Limerick City and County Council provides a highly effective HAP transactional shared service on behalf of all local authorities. This HAP Shared Services Centre (SSC) manages all HAP-related rental transactions for the tenant, local authority and landlord. Accordingly, my Department does not recoup individual local authorities in respect of HAP rental payments in their administrative areas but, rather, recoups all landlord costs via the HAP SSC.
Budget 2021 increased the Exchequer funding for the HAP scheme to €558 million. This allows for the continued support of existing HAP households and also enables an additional 15,000 households to be supported by HAP in 2021. HAP expenditure at the end of Q3 2021 was €394 million.
Data in relation to funding provided by the State for HAP tenancies in 2019 and 2020, broken down by local authority area, can be found on my Department's website at this link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#housing-assistance-payment
This funding represents the portion paid by my Department after receipt of the differential rent which is paid by the tenant to the local authority. It does not include administration costs related to the Scheme.
The table below shows the number of new HAP tenancies, by local authority area, established to the end of Q3 2021.
|
Local authority |
HAP tenancies set up to end of Q3 2021 |
|
Carlow County Council |
102 |
|
Cavan County Council |
101 |
|
Clare County Council |
184 |
|
Cork City Council |
601 |
|
Cork County Council |
551 |
|
Donegal County Council |
210 |
|
Dublin City Council |
2,362 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council |
359 |
|
Fingal County Council |
925 |
|
Galway City Council |
277 |
|
Galway County Council |
222 |
|
Kerry County Council |
335 |
|
Kildare County Council |
373 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
90 |
|
Laois County Council |
165 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
41 |
|
Limerick City and County Council |
294 |
|
Longford County Council |
67 |
|
Louth County Council |
526 |
|
Mayo County Council |
154 |
|
Meath County Council |
330 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
87 |
|
Offaly County Council |
83 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
86 |
|
Sligo County Council |
122 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
881 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
256 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
322 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
129 |
|
Wexford County Council |
234 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
242 |
|
Total |
10,711 |
316. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to strengthen regulations on short-term letting. [62508/21]
View answerLegislative reforms to regulate the short-term letting sector through the planning code, in areas designated as “rent pressure zones” (RPZs), were introduced under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 which came into effect on 1 July 2019.
Notwithstanding the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, significant work on the implementation and enforcement of the Regulations has been undertaken by planning authorities since they came into effect.
Housing for All contains a specific action - (Action 20.4) - to “develop new regulatory controls requiring short-term and holiday lets to register with Fáilte Ireland with a view to ensuring that houses are used to best effect in areas of housing need”. Minister O’Brien has engaged with Minister Catherine Martin on this matter, and a number of meetings have been held between my Department and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and with Fáilte Ireland and further engagement will take place in the near future.
Significant progress has been made on these proposals, which are being led by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. Funding has been allocated to that Department in Budget 2022 and Fáilte Ireland will be commencing shortly with recruitment of necessary staff to manage the design and infrastructure for the new short term lettings registration system. Work has also begun on scoping the legal changes which will be required and are expected to be legislated for by Q2 2022.
317. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the zoned land levy. [62509/21]
View answerThe Department of Finance has the lead responsibility for introducing this tax measure. Legislation setting out the provisions relating to the tax measure are included in Finance Bill 2021, which concluded all stages in the Oireachtas this week.
The purpose of the proposed measure is to activate existing residential zonings where the land is serviced, but remains undeveloped. It is primarily intended to influence behaviour towards increased housing output, rather than to raise revenue.
The scope of the tax is based on lands zoned for housing development on statutory development plan or local area plan zoning maps (either solely or primarily for residential use, or for a mixture of uses that includes residential use), where such lands are ‘serviced’, in that they are able to connect to the necessary infrastructure to enable housing development and for which there is capacity available, with land subject to known issues relating to contamination or the presence of known archaeological or historic remains to be excluded. Social, recreational and community uses as well as infrastructure and utilities will be excluded from the scope of the tax.
The lands falling into scope, being, in the first instance, all land zoned as of 1 January 2022 and meeting criteria set out in the legislation, including with regard to servicing and taking into account any exclusions, must be identified by each local authority on ‘residential zoned land’ maps to be published in advance of the introduction of the measure on 1 February 2024.
Each local authority will be required to prepare and publish a map to indicate the land within the scope of the tax, with the final map to be published by 1 December 2023. In advance of this, it will be necessary to publish an initial draft map by 1 November 2022 to identify the land in question. Preparation of the map will involve consultation with infrastructure providers to provide a robust evidence base with regard to servicing, including capacity.
The timescales for the various stages of the process including provisions for appeal of inclusion of lands on the draft map are set out in the Finance Bill and will be clarified within Guidelines to be issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 in order to ensure the maps will be published and updated by each local authority by 1 December 2023, in advance of the measure coming into effect on 1 February 2024.
Once established, maps will be updated every year, to reflect any changes in zoning, development servicing status or other criteria which would bring land into or out of scope. Where any land comes into scope after 1 January 2022, such land would not be liable for the tax until 3 years later.
This measure will replace the Vacant Site Levy once the tax becomes operational on the 1 February 2024. My Department will bring forward separate transitionary legislation to repeal the vacant site levy arrangements and this will take account of lands that might otherwise fall out of the full scope of the Vacant Site Levy, that are currently subject to the Vacant Site Levy.
318. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the vacant sites levy. [62510/21]
View answerI understand that the question relates to the consideration of a vacant property tax.
Housing for All provides a key pathway to addressing vacancy and efficient use of stock dedicated solely to this priority area supported by actions to enable a sustainable housing system. Among the actions is the work underway by the Department of Finance, which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Finance, to assess the present vacancy situation through the recent Local Property Tax returns with a view to introducing a vacant property tax.
319. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the dates on which he and or officials from his Department held consultations with an organisation (details supplied) related to developing the grant calculation methodology for his Department’s recently announced enhancements to the defective concrete block scheme disaggregated by type of consultation held, that is, email, phone, face-to-face and video conference and the topics discussed in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62511/21]
View answerI understand the Deputy has submitted a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2014 in relation to the data requested to my Department.
My Department is processing this request and a response will issue in acccordance with the legislation.
320. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authorities can apply for funding for mortgage-to-rent schemes they offer. [62516/21]
View answerThe Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme was introduced for local authority borrowers initially as a pilot in 2013, and has been in place nationally since 2014. Under the scheme, a local authority can acquire ownership of properties with unsustainable local authority mortgages, thus enabling the household to remain in their home as social housing tenants. From its inception in 2013 to end 2020, the Local Authority Mortgage to Rent scheme has benefited a total of 532 households.
The following local authority costs are funded by the Department. Local authorities must use funding received under the Local Authority Mortgage to Rent scheme to re-pay the corresponding loan with the Housing Finance Agency.
- The Property Ownership Transfer Price (Open Market Value of the property minus the cost of essential repairs, as agreed by the borrower and the local authority)
- Vouched essential repair costs (repairs that are required to ensure that the property meets the minimum standards for rented accommodation)
- Up to 1.5% of the Open Market Value in respect of vouched local authority legal and valuation costs
The local authority can also draw down an amount to the maximum of €1,230 (€1,000 plus 23% VAT) towards the borrower's vouched costs, which include a contribution to their legal and debt advice and, where appropriate, valuation costs.
321. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of State boards under the remit of his Department or its agencies, in tabular form; the number of members of each board; the number of persons with a declared disability on each board; and the percentage of each board that is made up of persons with a declared disability. [62529/21]
View answerThe State bodies under the aegis of my Department are as set out in tabular form below, together with the dedicated contact e-mail address for members of the Houses of the Oireachtas for each such body.
|
State Body |
Contact E-mail Address |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce (the Water Forum) |
info@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority |
oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Ervia |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Irish Water |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
info@noac.ie |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
Oireachtas@osi.ie |
|
Property Registration Authority |
reps@prai.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Valuation Office |
oireachtas.enquiries@VALOFF.ie |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
info@valuationtribunal.ie |
|
Water Advisory Body |
info@wab.gov.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
ceooffice@waterwaysireland.org |
Part V of the Disability Act 2005 provides that public bodies are required to collect and report data on the number and proportion of employees with disabilities. My Department collects this information from the public bodies under its aegis and submits an annual report to the National Disability Authority.
However, Board members are not employees and, therefore, such information is neither collected nor available within my Department.
322. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the levies applied, collected and outstanding in respect of the vacant sites levy, by local authority in 2019; and the cumulative outstanding amount currently, by local authority, in tabular form. [62570/21]
View answerThe requested information is outlined in the spreadsheet at the following link.
The information contained therein was collected by my Department further to the issuing of Circular Letter PL 03/2021 on 8 March 2021 requesting the submission of a progress report on the collection of the levy by each local authority. It should be noted that the vacant site levy is collected in arrears. Accordingly, demands for levy payment in respect of 2019 were issued in 2020.
323. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason only 50% funding is given for new and replacement caravans and mobile homes under the caravan loan scheme and other schemes to provide this type of accommodation for Travellers, particularly given the low rate of grant and the difficulty raising funds for the balance is being used by local authorities for the non-supply of urgently needed caravans for Traveller households; if he will consider raising this to 100% in view of the underspend of funds made available for Traveller specific funds in the past 25 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62596/21]
View answer324. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason local authorities are allowed to purchase second-hand caravans and mobile homes under the caravan loan scheme and other schemes to provide this type of accommodation for Travellers; the reason it is not a condition of the scheme that only new caravans would be purchased under these schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62597/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 323 and 324 together.
My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist local authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
It is my Department’s policy to provide permanent accommodation insofar as possible, while at the same time respecting the nomadic tradition of the Traveller community. Cognisant of emergencies which arise from time to time, which by their nature cannot be planned for or anticipated, my Department provides funding to local authorities of up to 50% to assist with the cost of purchase of emergency replacement mobile caravans.
My Department sought and received sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to roll out a pilot Caravan Loan Scheme to improve access to traditional Traveller-specific accommodation options for Traveller families. My Department commenced the pilot scheme in July of 2021 for a trial period of 6 months, following consultation with stakeholders including the local authorities, the National Traveller MABS and the Traveller representative organisations.
The participating local authorities are Cork City Council, Dublin City Council, South Dublin County Council and Limerick City and County Council. The maximum funding available under the pilot Caravan Loan Scheme is €30,000 per loan. The terms of the Caravan Loan Scheme do not specify that units must be new or second hand, allowing the loan recipient the freedom to source a unit suitable to their needs.
When the pilot phase is complete, officials from my Department will review the operation of the pilot Caravan Loan Scheme with input from the local authorities and other stakeholders. A report will be prepared for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and options for the expansion of the pilot scheme will be considered at the conclusion of this process.
325. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when his Department received the local decarbonisation action plan from Galway City Council; the reason it is not approved yet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62606/21]
View answerIn February 2021 my Department asked each local authority to identify a decarbonising zone and to provide a broad outline of the main projects that could be implemented in the decarbonising zone plus an indication of potential outcomes in terms of reductions in carbon emissions. These zones are to act as pilot projects for decarbonisation measures that will be applied more widely to achieve Ireland's climate objectives.
Galway City Council identified the Westside Zone as its decarbonisation zone and identified potential measures for decarbonisation in this area.
Local Authorities will be tasked with developing an implementation plan for decarbonising measures in their identified decarbonising zones and these will be included in the Local Authority Climate Action Plans which are provided for in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, which is under the remit of the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications.
326. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated number of renters in the Carrigaline local electoral area. [62622/21]
View answer327. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated number of persons within the Carrigaline local electoral area currently living in a rent pressure zone. [62623/21]
View answer328. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated number of rental properties in the Carrigaline local electoral area. [62624/21]
View answer329. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated number of renters within the Carrigaline local electoral area who are living in a rent pressure zone. [62625/21]
View answer330. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated number of rental properties in the Carrigaline local electoral area that are within a rent pressure zone. [62626/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 326 to 330, inclusive, together.
The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2021, to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.
My Department does not collect the data sought, however the Clerk of the Dáil requested that arrangements be put in place to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies to members of the Oireachtas. Following the issue of Circular LG (P)05/16 on 20 September 2016 from my Department, the RTB set up a dedicated email address for this purpose. The RTB may be contacted at OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie to establish the extent to which it may hold the information sought.
