Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Part of my electorate, believe it or not, is within the rent pressure zone in part of County Meath but the make-up of the houses there is somewhat different than it is in the town. Therefore, how does the RTB know that it is not discriminating in its formula against a significant number of small urban dwellings? I acknowledge that is part of what it is dealing with. I will read the information later.

My other question is on housing assistance payments. Many tenants are paying above the HAP price. The rent maybe registered at €900 or whatever the housing assistance payment they get is but they are paying more under the counter. I do not know how the RTB measures that. I ask that the powers that be talk about this with HAP officers in the county councils. In my experience, they are fabulously knowledgeable in this area and know the situation on the ground very well. The RTB should take into account the level of HAP payments when it is changing its formula.