Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 October 2022
191. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has met with the Residential Tenancies Board to discuss the Customer Relations Management and in particular the ease with which clients can raise queries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49235/22]
View answerFollowing the passing of legislation in 2019, with effect from 4 April 2022, landlords are required to register their tenancies with the RTB every year, within one month of the anniversary of when the tenancy began.
I am aware that some landlords and agents are encountering issues with the new RTB tenancy management system and I met with the RTB in July and in September to discuss the issues involved. My officials are also keeping in regular contact with the Board on the matter. In addition, last week I secured additional resources to assist the Board in their operations, including in relation to providing customer service, with an increase in the RTB allocation from €11m this year to €13m in 2023.
Recent changes have been made to processes within RTB customer service provision to help alleviate delays and backlog and the RTB has almost doubled the staffing in its outsourced call centre.
Officials in my Department will continue to support the RTB on the matter and ensure the RTB are sufficiently resourced to deal with issues that have arisen.
