Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 June 2022
27. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of rental inspections undertaken in the past 12 months; the number of these that were virtual inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31057/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra28. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of virtual rental inspections that took place in 2019, 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31058/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 28 together.
The Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical supplies. 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.
The number of inspections undertaken in the period 2019 to Q1 2022 are set out in the table below:
|
Year |
Physical Inspections carried out |
Virtual Inspections carried out |
Total Inspections carried out |
|
2019 |
40,728 |
- |
40,728 |
|
2020 |
24,315 |
1,388 |
25,703 |
|
2021 |
15,131 |
5,109 |
20,240 |
|
Q1/2022 |
10,142 |
490 |
10,632 |
Detailed information in relation to the number of inspections and enforcement actions undertaken in 2019 to 2021 is available on the Department's website at:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/da3fe-private-housing-market-statistics/
Pandemic restrictions greatly impacted on inspection activity since March 2020. The County and City Management Association’s (CCMA) Local Authority Services Frameworks for Future Covid-19 Pandemic Response did not permit on-site rental inspections for long periods in 2020 and 2021. This was in order to protect tenants, landlords and inspectors. Even when restrictions were relaxed there was still a reluctance on the part of some tenants to allow authorised inspectors access their homes. Inspections have been and continue to be frustrated by some tenants needing to self-isolate due to having Covid-19 or being a close contact.
In response some local authorities piloted virtual inspections which my Department supported with Exchequer funding. Dublin City Council led this initiative and commenced virtual inspections in May 2020. My Department incorporated and standardised the approach taken countrywide into a pilot programme, requesting business cases from participating local authorities to ensure that processes are suitably robust and comprehensive.
It is a key component of the virtual inspection model that local authorities reserve the right to conduct a physical on-site inspection when it is safe to do so and landlords were advised accordingly. Many rented dwellings have been subsequently re-inspected physically, since pandemic restrictions have eased.
