Written Answers Nos. 121-139
121. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education to publish the hours and subjects offered to children in secondary school, but currently without a school place; whether her Department is satisfied these hours and subjects are sufficient for such children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44583/23]
View answerThe purpose of my Department's Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school. For children without a school place my Department administers Home Tuition schemes for:
Students with special educational needs seeking an educational placement in a recognised school
Students who are temporarily without a school place, is without an offer of a school place and is actively seeking a school placement in a recognised school
Home tuition is not an alternative to a school placement and is provided in very limited and specific circumstances. By its nature, it is intended to be a short term educational intervention. It is provided as an interim measure only for children for whom a placement in a recognised school is not available and should not be regarded as an optional alternative to a school placement. Home tutors are engaged by the parents/guardians of the child who is to receive the tuition.
The Department funds the cost of tuition provided where this complies fully with the terms of the approval for the scheme. It is a condition of grant funding that tutors engaged by parents are registered with and recognised by the Teaching Council of Ireland. All teachers currently registered with the Teaching Council of Ireland are vetted by the National Vetting Bureau.
Application forms for scheme a) above are available from the gov.ie websitegov.ie - Home Tuition (www.gov.ie).
The Home Tuition grant scheme is operated with the assistance of the Educational Welfare Services of the Tusla Child and Family Agency.
Application forms for scheme b) grant scheme are available from the local Educational Welfare Officer (EWO)/or the appointed social worker. Contact details for the EWO’s in a specific area can be obtained via the following website at www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/education-and-welfare/#EWO.
The numbers of hours allocated per each strand of home tuition is as follows:
• Students with special educational needs- The maximum home tuition grant for children awaiting a placement is based on 20 hours tuition per week subject to the appropriate school calendar year.
• Home Tuition- No School Place- provides home tuition for children, other than those children with special education needs, who do not have a school place, are without the offer of a school place and for whom a school place is being actively sought. This includes children in care who are without a school place due to emergency placement or placement disruption. Provision of tuition under the No School Place strand of the scheme is for a maximum of 9 hours per week for 12 weeks. Children in care grants are provided for a maximum of 9 hours per week for 6 weeks after which they can make a separate application under the No School Place strand of the scheme for further tuition provision. Application forms are available from the appointed social worker.
It is the responsibility of each student, and their parent/guardian(s),to familiarise themselves with the regulations and requirements of the SEC in relation to coursework in certain post-primary subjects and to ensure that they can comply with the regulations and requirements. Coursework must be the candidate’s own individual work, completed under the supervision of the class teacher.
122. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education the status of the school bus transport application for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44586/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the start of the 2022/2023 school year. The number of tickets issued so far has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
Unfortunately in recent weeks, a number of difficulties have arisen in some localities with a small number of contracted services, including the services in the area referred to by the Deputy.
Bus Eireann has advised that they are working intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible. Bus Éireann has further advised that the service referred to by the Deputy is currently in the procurement process and once a suitable contractor is sourced the service will commence and the family will be notified accordingly.
123. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education for assistance with a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44595/23]
View answerThe key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.
The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria. The final meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board, for the 2023/24 school year, will be held later this month. Schools that submit an application to this meeting will be informed of the outcome of their appeal ahead of the October mid-term break. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
124. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education if her Department plans to increase bus capacity on the route fromBirdhill to Newport, County Tipperary (details supplied). [44598/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the start of the 2022/2023 school year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes on behalf of my Department. Safety of children travelling on the school transport services is of paramount importance to the Department and to Bus Éireann. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the scheme nationally.
Routes are planned so that, as far as possible, no eligible child will have more than 3.2 kilometres to travel to a pick-up point. Children are generally expected to be accompanied to convenient pick-up points along the main route.
Bus Éireann has advised that two large vehicles operate on the route referred to by the Deputy.
One service is currently full and operating at capacity while the remaining service has some capacity at present. Families wishing to enquire about tickets on this service can contact Bus Éireann who have put in place a dedicated customer care call centre and a Contact Form on buseireann.ie/schooltransport to assist families specifically with School Transport queries. Families who have queries can contact the call centre on: LoCall 0818 919 910. Operating hours are 09.00 – 17.00 Monday to Friday.
125. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education what protocol is in place for complaints being made against staff members (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44600/23]
View answerThe Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022 (the 2022 Act), places obligations on schools as public bodies to have processes in place to facilitate workers in making protected disclosures.
One of the changes introduced in the 2022 Act is the requirement that public bodies, which include recognised schools, maintain and operate internal reporting channels and procedures for the making of protected disclosures. Suitable documented procedures and reporting lines must also be maintained for the purposes of follow-up with the person who made the protected disclosure, after they have made the disclosure. The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform is responsible for the Interim Guidance for public bodies on the performance of their functions under the Protected Disclosures Act.
Prior to the commencement of the new legislation on 1 January 2023, the Department advised school management bodies to make sure that all their member schools take the necessary steps to ensure their protected disclosures channels and procedures were in compliance with the new requirements of the legislation.
126. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Education the reason a hall at a school (details supplied) is inaccessible to the students attending a school; if it will be made available to the students for use; if so, when; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44622/23]
View answerMy Department has provided significant capital funding to provide refurbished accommodation to a former school building to cater for the recently established school referred to by the Deputy. The refurbishment works was provided in two phases and provided high quality facilities comprising a total of 8 classrooms and ancillary provision including Quiet Spaces, a multi-purpose sensory room and external play areas.
The hall in question is in the ownership of a third party and is not part of the accommodation available to the school.
127. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Education when work on a new school building for a school (details supplied) will commence; the timeframe for commencement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44626/23]
View answerThe large scale capital project for the school referred to by the Deputy is part of a joint campus project with another primary school and a post-primary school. My Department authorised the Design Team to retender the project as the first tranche of tenders were deemed unviable. The Design Team applied for a new planning permission due to a change in the Planning Acts introduced by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in Sept 2021 which removed the option to extend a planning permission. Following a Request for Further Information from the Local Authority, the grant of planning permission has been received.
In parallel, the Main Contractor Tender report was received and reviewed by my Department and the Tender report in respect of the Reserve Specialist Contractors is anticipated shortly from the Design Team.
Upon receipt and review of the 2nd tender report, my Department will be in contact with the School Authorities and the Design Team regarding further progression of the project.
128. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what regulations exist for requiring apartment developments to provide green bins and ensure proper recycling facilitates are in place. [44475/23]
View answerWhilst recycling is not specifically referred to in the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), development plans reflect the objectives of waste management plans applicable to their administrative area, which would generally include measures to promote recycling. In particular, section 10 of the Act requires all local authorities to include policies to support the provision, or facilitation of the provision of infrastructure including, inter alia, waste recovery and disposal facilities and any ancillary facilities or services in their development plans. This is in order to support sustainable development and the provision of services. In 2022 my Department published Development Plans – Guidelines for Planning Authorities. Section 6.3.4 of these guidelines outlines policy objectives that development plans can include to support the green circular economy.
With specific regard to apartments, my Department issued the updated Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2023) under section 28 of the Act. These Guidelines include a section (Section 4.8-4.9) on design considerations for the provision of refuse storage facilities and note the following:
The following general design considerations should be taken into account in the provision of refuse storage facilities:
• Sufficient communal storage area to satisfy the three-bin system for the collection of mixed dry recyclables, organic waste and residual waste.
• In larger apartment schemes, consideration should also be given to the provision of separate collection facilities for other recyclables such as glass and plastics
Under planning legislation, the decision as to whether to grant permission on a planning application, with or without conditions, is a matter for the relevant planning authority or the Board on appeal or in the case of a strategic housing development.
In making decisions on a planning application, a planning authority, or the Board as appropriate, must consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, having regard to the provisions of the development plan, any submissions or observations received from the public and the statutory consultees, and any relevant Ministerial or Government policies, including any guidelines issued by my Department.
129. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 904 of 11 September 2023, to clarify the reason I was informed on 11 September 2023 that the Clara fire station project was not included in his Department's construction programme, and would only be reassessed on an annual basis only for a decision to be made less than a month later approving the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44491/23]
View answerAny proposal received by my Department requesting further support from the Fire Services Capital Programme is considered with regard to national priorities and the totality of requests from fire authorities countrywide.
Project consideration stages in my Department include submission of preliminary and detailed appraisals; submission of design brief; selection of site; application for approval in principle; appointment of design consultants; submission of a preliminary design; planning application; submission of preliminary cost plan, detailed design and cost plans; and tender process and construction stages - each step subject to approval from my Department.
Offaly County Council have previously indicated that the replacement of Clara Fire Station is a priority going forward. All projects in the capital programme can be reassessed on an annual basis to maximise available capital programme funding and priority may be adjusted to bring forward projects offering best value-for-money and to take account of the state of readiness of the projects, based on ongoing engagement with local authorities in respect of prioritisation.
The Clara fire station project was not initially included in my Fire Services Capital Programme 2021 – 2025, however, I am aware that the council has taken interim steps to show the readiness of the Clara fire station project and increase the potential for capital funding to be granted should that possibility arise.
Offaly County council have indicated that the current Clara Fire Station is located on a confined site with an insufficient footprint preventing the prospect of an upgrade or extension works to the current fire station site. My Department has linked with the council on the availability of a new site located at Raheen in Clara and is satisfied as to the Councils capacity to progress the project quickly. Consequently, I have taken the decision to bring forward the Clara Fire Station for inclusion on the current Fire Services Capital Programme.
130. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if funding is available for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44521/23]
View answerMy Department currently has three Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (DWWTS) grant schemes, commonly known as Septic Tank Grants. The grants provide financial assistance to householders to replace, carry out remediation work, repair or upgrades to their septic tanks. All three grants are focused on the areas of greatest environmental priority rather than general in application.
I understand that the case identified in the details supplied does not meet the qualifying conditions of the grants.
Further details can be found on my Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/6cc1e-domestic-waste-water-treatment-systems-septic-tanks/ or from the local authorities who have responsibility for the day to day administration of these grants.
131. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason for the inordinate delay in considering the Kilkenny Wind Energy Strategy/Policy proposed by Kilkenny County Council and submitted to his office by the Office of the Planning Regulator; if he will outline the process involved in considering the matter; if outside expertise or consultants are engaged to assist in the process; if a timeframe for a decision will be set down and adhered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44528/23]
View answerPursuant to a recommendation received from the Office of the Planning Regulator, on 15 October 2021 the then Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Peter Burke TD, wrote to the Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council giving notice of his intention to issue a Direction in relation to the Kilkenny City and County Development Plan 2021-2027. A draft of the proposed Direction was contained in the notice in accordance with Section 31(4) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, and accordingly those parts of the Development Plan referred to in the notice shall be taken not to have come into effect, been made or amended.
The draft Direction was made available for public inspection by Kilkenny County Council and submissions were invited during a two week period between 29 October 2021 and 12 November 2021. Subsequently, the Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council prepared a report dated 10 December 2021 on submissions received during this period and made a recommendation on how to give effect to the draft Direction. The Office of the Planning Regulator considered this report and on 10 January 2022 issued a notice under Section 31AN(4) of the Act recommending that the Minister issue the Direction with minor amendments, consistent with the recommendation contained in the Chief Executive’s Report.
It should be noted that the OPR’s recommendation in relation to this matter was received by the Minister prior to the enactment of the Planning and Development, Maritime and Valuation (Amendment) Act 2022 and as such no statutory timeline is applicable to a decision in respect of a final direction in this case and the matter remains under active consideration in light of policy developments in this area.
The Deputy may be interested to note that section 31(6)(b) of the 2000 Act specifies that if a part of a development plan proposed to be replaced contains a matter that corresponds to any matter contained in a plan which is referred to in a draft Direction, that part of the development plan shall not cease to have effect in respect of that matter. As a result, the relevant part of the previous development plan remains in force.
132. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide related to a Government-funded scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44533/23]
View answerIn January 2023, I announced details regarding a third round of funding under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF). Supporting key objectives of Housing for All, Town Centre First, and the Vacant Homes Action Plan, this round of URDF support has been specifically designed to address long term vacancy and dereliction across URDF eligible cities and towns.
This will be achieved through the provision of a €150 million fund for local authorities to acquire vacant or derelict properties (residential and/or commercial) and to carry out any associated works needed to de-risk or improve the property to make it more attractive for re-use or sale. The fund would then be replenished from the proceeds received from the end use/user thereby, allowing the local authority to put in place a rolling programme of acquisitions in order to tackle long term vacancy and dereliction without recourse to borrowing and the associated financial risk.
In July 2023, following consultation with the Local Authority sector, including Wexford County Council, I announced details of each Local Authority's Approved Acquisition Programme, funding allocations and arrangements for the third round of funding under the URDF.
As part of this announcement, Wexford County Council was awarded €6.5 million in URDF funding to help tackle vacancy and dereliction in their URDF eligible areas, which are Wexford Town, New Ross and Enniscorthy. As a one-off measure to encourage early activity under the programme and a demonstration of Government commitment to tackling the long term vacancy and dereliction issue in our towns and cities, Wexford County Council also received €1,300,000 of their funding allocation by way of forward funding.
Wexford County Council initially identified 216 properties as suitable for acquisition under the programme, with a total estimated acquisition cost of €26,374,167. The initial focus of the approved Acquisition Programmes is on tackling vacant or derelict buildings located within town centre areas that will provide, as part of their ultimate end use, some element of residential use. On this basis, 169 of the properties submitted by Wexford County Council across all their URDF eligible towns have been prioritisied for acquisition and placed on the approved acquisition programme. It is not the case that properties identified have been refused but rather they are not prioritisied for acquisition at this time.
As set out in Circular URDF 03/2023, I am happy to consider any submission from Wexford County Council making a strong case for the inclusion of any of the properties not currently included on their acquisition programme. Recent correspondence from Wexford County Council indicates that the council have no additional properties they wish to include in their approved programme at this time. Wexford County Council are now being encouraged to proceed with tackling the 169 properties included on their acquisition programme.
133. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 505 of 21 March 2023, the reason the widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's contributory pension paid at €265.30 weekly is not an eligible payment under the tenant (incremental) purchase scheme, considering the State pension (contributory) paid at the same €265.30 weekly is an eligible payment, both are the same payment rate and both are PRSI contribution related and therefore, sustainable; if he will examine the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44566/23]
View answerThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme provides for the purchase by eligible tenants, or joint tenants, of local authority homes available for sale under the scheme.
To be eligible, applicants must meet certain criteria, including a minimum annual reckonable income. The Tenant Purchase Scheme was reviewed in 2021, with a number of amendments implemented from 1 February 2022. These included reducing the minimum reckonable income required from €15,000 to €12,500, facilitating older tenants, whose only income might be the contributory or non-contributory State pension, to buy their homes if they have the financial means to do so.
The minimum income requirement has a dual purpose. It ensures the scheme is sustainable and the tenant purchasing the house has the financial means to maintain and insure the property for the duration of the charged period. For these reasons, certain income is not considered when determining an applicant's reckonable income. This includes the Widow's, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension which, for those aged 66 and under without child dependents, is currently below the minimum reckonable income threshold.
That said, changes in relation to reckonable income are being considered by my Department, together with other potential changes to the scheme, as part of the work on the broader social housing reform agenda.
134. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the Planning and Development Bill 2023; and the timeline for the enactment of the legislation. [44584/23]
View answerA comprehensive review of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) was initiated in May 2021, led by the Office of the Attorney General. This process included extensive stakeholder engagement, particularly with the Planning Advisory Forum established in December 2021. The review culminated in the publication of the draft Planning and Development Bill 2022 in January 2023.
The draft Bill subsequently underwent a very extensive pre-legislative scrutiny process over a three month period, undertaken by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Taking consideration of the same and further stakeholder engagement, the Bill was further updated and on 3 October the Cabinet agreed the publication of the Planning and Development Bill 2023.
The Bill, which is the third largest in the history of the State, will be published within the coming weeks and will then commence in the Oireachtas, subject to its timetable.
135. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the grounds for exemption from application of the residential zoned land tax should include instances where land is not developable for reasons relating to phasing provisions in a land use plan and where factors outside the control of the landowner inhibit development. [44585/23]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.
The Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) is a new tax introduced in Finance Act 2021 which seeks to increase housing supply by encouraging the activation of development on lands which are suitably zoned and appropriately serviced. It aims to bring those lands which have benefitted from investment in services and are capable of being developed forward for housing. The tax is an action contained in Housing for All, the Government’s plan for housing, to increase housing supply and is supported in the Programme for Government. The tax applies to land that is zoned suitable for residential development and serviced. The tax measure is a key pillar of the Government’s response to address the urgent need to increase housing supply in suitable locations. However, it is important that affected landowners have sufficient opportunity to engage with the mapping process and that a fair and transparent process is applied when local authorities consider what land should be placed on the RZLT maps. Therefore, as part of Budget 2024, it was decided to extend the liability date of the tax by one year, from February 2024 to February 2025. A final map identifying land considered in-scope for the tax will be published on 1 December 2023 by each local authority as required by legislation, however there will be no liability to the tax in 2024 due to the deferral announced in the budget. The purpose of this deferral is to allow for the first mapping cycle to complete and to afford landowners another opportunity to make submissions if their land is included on the draft maps prepared by local authorities in 2024 in advance of the liability commencing in 2025.
The deferral will provide a further opportunity for landowners whose land is included on a draft map published on 1 February 2024 to request the rezoning of such land by the local authority in whose functional area the land is situated. The consideration of these rezoning requests is solely a matter for the respective planning authorities.
In addition, landowners may make a submission regarding land identified on the draft map published on 1 February 2024, if they consider that their land is not in scope having regard to the criteria set out within the legislation. The determination on these submissions made by the planning authority may be appealed to An Bord Pleanala.
136. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the targets for property development issued to Kildare County Council, under their respective Housing Needs and Demand Assessments (HNDA) broken down by area, and by year; the number of areas that have exceeded these targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44587/23]
View answerHousing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes by 2030. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
The tables below set out the social and affordable housing targets for Kildare County Council.
Social Housing Delivery Targets
|
Year |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
Total |
|
Build |
370 |
400 |
409 |
440 |
449 |
2068 |
|
Long Term Leasing |
262 |
86 |
- |
- |
- |
348 |
|
Total |
632 |
486 |
409 |
440 |
449 |
2416 |
Affordable Housing Targets
|
Year |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
Total |
|
Target |
15 |
42 |
59 |
55 |
55 |
226 |
A key action of Housing for All required local authorities to develop a Housing Delivery Action Plans to include details of social and affordable housing delivery. The Plans set out details of both social and affordable housing delivery as appropriate over the period 2022-2026, in line with targets set under Housing for All. I also asked each local authority to assess the level of housing demand with affordability constraint projected for their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment Tool and plan their provision accordingly. The Plans have been published on local authority's own websites and Kildare County Council's Plan can be found at: kildarecoco.ie/YourCouncil/Publications/Housing/Kildare%20County%20Council%20Housing%20Delivery%20Action%20Plan.pdf.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity. Data to the end of Quarter 2 2023 is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR). The CSR provides details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and pre-tender process. The most recent publication was for Quarter 2 2023. The report is available at the following link: gov.ie - Social Housing Construction Projects - Status Reports (www.gov.ie)
A version of this file is available to download for analysis at data.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q2-2023.
137. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a review took place in Q2 2023 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44589/23]
View answer138. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions the Government has taken, and plans to take, with respect to the implementation of a system of holding rental deposits in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44590/23]
View answer139. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will comment on the actions he has taken with respect to undertaking a full review of international best practice regarding the establishment of a system of holding rental deposits that is fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44591/23]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015 provided for the development of a deposit protection scheme to be operated by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). However, significant changes have taken place in the rental market since this Act and in order to inform decisions on the commencement of this measure, work is underway in my Department to complete Action 2.10 of Housing for All, which requires an examination for the creation of a system of holding rental deposits, informed by best international experience.
The Housing Agency are currently undertaking this examination which will conclude with a thorough overview of the primary issues and will be used to inform any next steps as appropriate. This examination has a revised completion date of Q4 2023.
