Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)

Deputy Higgins referred to antisocial behaviour and this Bill strengthens the hand of the local authority in this regard. There is nothing in the Bill to strengthen authorities with regard to antisocial behaviour in rented houses in private estates that are part of the rent supplement scheme. Nothing can be done about those, no matter what antisocial behaviour occurs. It happens in some isolated cases but there is nothing relevant here for such cases. Many times, the neighbours or other people involved cannot find the landlord in question.

If the HSE, which pays the rent supplement, had the authority to withdraw the payment for a week, two weeks or a month, the landlord would not be long turning up to ensure the rent would be paid or that tenants would cease any alleged antisocial behaviour. The matter must be addressed. I am sorry my time was so short.

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