Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)

The basis of the question is the issue of standards in the renting market. While landlords can increase rents, there is no measure to increase property standards because of the absence of a licensing system. Local authorities operating the rental accommodation scheme have informed me that when tenants move from rent allowance to the rental accommodation schemes, the properties available to them are not up to scratch. There is a standard in the rental market for rent allowance recipients. As Deputy Ó Snodaigh stated, the State is subsidising substandard properties and is party to these rent increases.

Does the Minister of State intend introducing a licensing system that will guarantee core requirements of whatever rent is set? Is he aware that with the roll-out of the rental accommodation scheme, properties being let out through the HSE do not have the same standards as those properties available to rent allowance recipients?

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