Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)

Local authorities are currently required by law to ensure rented accommodation is of an adequate standard. Only a handful of local authorities carry out inspections. Last year, less than 5% of properties were inspected, which is a disgrace. Some 30% of the 5% examined were found to be substandard, yet there were only 11 prosecutions by local authorities. These statistics point to huge gaps between the floorboards. Some kind of emergency investigation is required, be it by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government or the Department of Social and Family Affairs. There is something particularly out of kilter.

The same lackadaisical approach is taken in regard to tax compliance. We know the Revenue Commissioners could deal with this more enthusiastically if minded to do so. I acknowledge a political price would have to be paid by any Government that pursued this and addressed it once and for all. It is like the plastic bag tax and the smoking ban; once they were put in place, people were considerably grateful to those courageous enough to have taken responsibility.

The Department of Social and Family Affairs has failed to keep proper records regarding the €436 million paid out to landlords in rent subsidy. The Office of the Revenue Commissioners sought the information from the Department and was trying to connect it with information pertaining to the Private Residential Tenancies Board but I understand the office is now seeking a law or regulation that would permit it to do this. There is obviously dragging of feet in terms of introducing whatever law or regulation is required to address the issue of wayward landlords, and that is most unfortunate.

It is estimated that there are some 50,000 unregistered flats and apartments. I understand this is probably a conservative estimate. If so, a radical overhaul is required urgently. I would prefer to see the Government dealing with social housing by front-loading some of the national development plan projects, such as the building of social housing and schools, perhaps with money from the National Pensions Reserve Fund. There would be a considerable return to the taxpayer because the State would no longer have to incur expenditure of €436 million, which figure is ever increasing. I hope the Minister will treat this matter as seriously as it deserves to be treated.

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