Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 March 2018
215. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the composition of the delegation from his Department on a working group further to a commitment in a Rebuilding Ireland strategy document (details supplied); the number of meetings of this working group that he has attended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11382/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe position is that the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government has established a Working Group to examine the scope for amending legislation to provide for greater protection of tenants’ rights during the receivership process under Action 5 of the Strategy for the Rental Sector. The appointment of a receiver to a buy-to-let dwelling can be a source of confusion and concern for tenants of the property, and it is important that their interests and rights be protected during the receivership process.
My Department, together with the Department of Finance, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and the Office of the Attorney General, has participated in the Working Group and has been represented at Assistant Principal Officer level. The Group has met on three occasions to date and I understand that a further meeting of the Group will take place shortly
The objective of this initiative is to improve protection of the rights of tenants during the receivership process, in particular in relation to the fulfilment of landlord obligations by the receiver. To inform its work, the Working Group has sought legal opinion on the feasibility of amending legislation to provide for greater protection of tenants’ rights during the receivership process. I understand that the Group expects to be in a position to finalise its Report in the near future.
