Vol. 519 No. 6
199 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on whether the current inspections of private rented dwellings are adequate in view of the recent publication of the Annual Housing Statistics Bulletin, 1999, which shows that in 1998 only 5,139 private rented properties were inspected and of those 2,704 failed to meet minimum standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14617/00]
Responsibility for the enforcement of regulations governing private rented dwellings lies with local authorities. It is a matter for each authority to put in place the necessary arrangements for their effective implementation, including inspection and any follow up action necessary. I am anxious to see full compliance with the regulations and, in this regard, my Department has urged local authorities to take all available measures necessary to ensure landlords comply with the regulations. The capacity of local authorities to enforce the various rented housing regulations had been adversely affected by suc cessful court challenges by landlords to the registration regulations. These difficulties have now been addressed by the introduction of amending regulations early this year, leaving the way clear for authorities to actively pursue their enforcement.
