Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 48:

In page 19, before section 43, but in Part 4, to insert the following new section:

“PART 5*
DEPOSIT RETENTION SCHEME

43.—In this Part, “deposit” means any money intended to be held (by the landlord or otherwise) as security for—(a) the performance of any obligations of the tenant, or
(b) the discharge of any liability of the tenant,arising under or in connection with a tenancy.”.

One of the problems we found concerned how the deposit retention issue is handled. The Minister of State has said that she will examine that issue, but we felt that the debate on this Bill would have been the appropriate time to examine it and bring forward such proposals. We know that some 72% of complaints relate to deposit retention, which shows how big this matter is. Because deposit retention is one of the main complaints, my colleagues and I felt that the matter should have been dealt with at this Stage of the Bill.

The Minister of State's colleagues, Deputy Patrick Nulty and Deputy Ciarán Lynch, have made similar suggestions to ours concerning deposit retention. It is also a big issue for welfare officers, some of whom will give deposits while others will not. Continuity and clear rules are required regarding deposits. Every landlord will seek a deposit, so guidelines are needed in this respect.

Those are the reasons my party has tabled these amendments. I am seeking support for them from my colleagues on this committee.