Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
576. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the Housing for All commitment to introduce legislation for default conciliation at the Residential Tenancies Board; the nature and detail of such conciliation; and when the legislation will be introduced. [2000/22]
View answerHousing for All – a new Housing Plan for Ireland includes an action to provide for default conciliation as part of the disupte resolution process within the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) and my Department is currently working to amend the Residential Tenancies Acts to provide for this process under Part 6 of the Acts.
The Government recognises that it is in the interest of both the tenant and landlord to resolve any disputes as early as possible without recourse to lengthy adjudication and tribunal processes. Additional resources will be provided to the RTB to ensure that it can continue to play its part, including facilitating early engagement to prevent disputes escalating to formal RTB dispute resolution, particularly in cases of rent arrears and where a legal tenancy termination or illegal eviction is in prospect.
At present, section 93 provides that the Board may arrange for mediation of a dispute between a landlord and tenant only where both parties consent. Mediation and conciliation help to resolve disputes at an early stage.
