Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

All landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that their rented properties comply with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 1993. Responsibility for enforcing the regulations rests with the relevant local authority. I have no function in the day-to-day operation of the inspection function in local authorities.

Good progress is being made with the action programme announced in September 2006 to promote improvement in standards of private rented accommodation, involving a range of measures including improved regulation, enforcement, funding and information. Enforcement is a key element of the programme and funding provided to local authorities for inspection purposes, from the proceeds of tenancy registration fees, is increasingly being linked to enforcement performance. Two reports recently published by the Centre for Housing Research on measures to promote improvement in private rented accommodation standards, particularly good practice guidelines for local authorities on enforcement, will also help to improve effectiveness in this area.

Housing authorities are giving greater priority to enforcement of the regulations. The number of inspections carried out in 2006 increased by 44% over 2005, reflecting the impact of the action programme on standards and progress with the rental accommodation scheme. The rate of compliance with the regulations reported by local authorities has also improved.

I have taken a number of opportunities, when meeting local authorities, to emphasise my determination to ensure that the good progress being made in the enforcement area is built on further. I will continue to assign a high priority to this area in the period ahead.

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