Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2017
613. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government to set out the level of funding from the Residential Tenancies Board to Wicklow County Council in each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [48760/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Strategy for the Rental Sector, published in December 2016, set out a series of measures to be introduced to ensure the quality of private rental accommodation by strengthening the applicable standards and improving the inspection and enforcement systems.
On 1 July 2017, updated regulatory standards, the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2017, came into effect. These Regulations focus on tenant safety and include new measures covering heating appliances, carbon monoxide and window safety. In August, my Department published a guidance document to assist and support local authorities in implementing the new Regulations.
All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these Regulations. Responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulations rests with the relevant local authority, supported by a dedicated stream of funding provided from a portion of the proceeds of tenancy registration fees, collected by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).
Since the establishment of the RTB, over €34 million has been paid to local authorities to assist them in the performance of their functions under the Housing Acts, including the inspection of rented accommodation. Over 185,000 inspections were carried out during this period. The Department offers a subvention to local authorities to carry out inspection of properties under the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations. Funding is currently dispersed on the basis of €100 per inspection carried out and €50 per follow-up inspection which achieves compliance.
Over the five years from 2010 to the end of 2014, a total of €442,115 was provided to Wicklow County Council for inspection purposes; €107,918 in 2010, €134,325 in 2011, €87,972 in 2012, €75,300 in 2013 and €36,600 in 2014. Pending the completion of ongoing engagement with Wicklow County Council in relation to its inspection and enforcement function, no funding has been provided to the Council in respect of 2015, 2016 or 2017.
