Ceist:
117 Mr. Hayes asked the Taoiseach the number of homes in the private rented sector as established from the 1996 census; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12542/00]
Written Answers. - Private Rented Sector.
Information on housing characteristics is only asked in censuses taken in years ending in '1'. The most recent census for which information on the number of private rented dwellings was asked was 1991. A similar question will appear on the 2001 census form.
However, an estimate of the number of private rented dwellings can also be got from the quarterly national household survey, formerly labour force survey. The most up to date information is in respect of 1997 when there was an estimated 131,600 private rented dwellings.