Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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I was listening online. I thank the representatives for coming here today. Their work is really important. I am referring to their detailing of why there are discrepancies between census data and RTB data and what they are now doing to examine the data. Dr. Byrne implied, in answering a question from the Chair, that we need to draft policies on the private rental market and the level of home ownership. We cannot set the figures but it is useful to have the data and know what people want. When I was growing up, everyone had a local authority house or a house they bought. There were probably very few renting whereas there is now a huge number. I know many who want to rent. The data are key to developing policy and giving us insight.

The RTB does important work on landlords and tenants, especially tenants. I deal with many tenants. I compliment the representatives on the work they do in this regard. I would like to see the RTB get more powers and resources. I am aware that there are many really good landlords. The RTB has come a long way but could go further. I encourage the Minister in this regard. There is an opportunity to structure the whole private rental sector in a really positive way that supports not only landlords and what they have to do but also tenants.

I know tenants who live in shocking accommodation. Their landlords are not registered with the RTB and many of them will not accept HAP because they do not want to be seen by Revenue. They know if they take HAP, they will be inspected and will probably fail a HAP inspection. They would be given a list of work to do. I would like the RTB to be given more powers in that area also, in trying to identify rogue landlords and, at the same time, supporting good landlords. There seems to be a lot of disagreement about the policy the Government announced in the budget today to give landlords tax rebates without having data to support the decision. It was not the right decision, but if we had the data, they would tell us what to do.

Will the witnesses comment on the idea of the RTB having more powers and more resources and how they see its role in the future?