Ms Deirdre Mason:

The approach to the inspections of HAP and RAS are specific in their own right. They are, however, part of the overall private rental inspections regime that local authorities carry out. They are funded separately for that purpose. HAP, specifically, is provided for in legislation. An inspection is required when a property has not been inspected in the previous 12 months. The inspection has to be arranged within eight months. As the Deputy rightly pointed out, the Covid-19 emergency period has affected both the arrangement of and the carrying out of inspections, because local authorities could not enter people's houses under levels 4 and 5. The overall number of HAP inspections carried out is about 50% of the total number of inspections carried out by local authorities over the last number of years. The fact that it is required under legislation has an impact. Under the umbrella of the restrictions that were required under Covid-19, a virtual inspection regime has also been brought in. Dublin City Council piloted that. A number of other local authorities – about ten – have taken it up, or have expressed an interest in doing so. There was a number of virtual inspections carried out last year and this year. This could be used well into the future. More inspections could be done.