Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

In reply to Deputy Dessie Ellis, we have had extensive discussions with those involved in the sector while working on the Bill and they are aware of the timeframes proposed. They may not love them, but they accept them, as well as the fees to be charged, on which there were detailed discussions with them. We wanted them to be affordable. That is the reason they can pay half the fee rather than paying the full fee.

On the issue of late fees, it will be the same as for the private sector, that is, €20 a month on an ascending scale. As I said, on Report Stage I intend to put a cap on the figure. The sector is very much aware of the content of this amendment and I hope it is accepting of it. We have not received any indication that those involved in it are not accepting of it and we have had ongoing discussions with them.

With regard to the definition, "approved housing body" means a body standing approved for the purposes of section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992. We did a trawl of housing bodies, some of which have been deregistered, mainly because they are not active, but we are also working with them on a voluntary code which will take in governance issues and the concerns Deputy Dessie Ellis expressed. Some of the issues of concern arise in Deputy Catherine Murphy's constituency and have been brought to my attention. We will have a voluntary code. Eventually, we will have a regulatory code because we must have what is happening in this sector fully transparent and above board. It is not in the interests of any of those involved to have a few rogue operators among them. I accept that there are issues outstanding in regard to a few of them, but we are actively working to ensure they will be properly regulated.