Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle's office for selecting this issue for discussion. The matter to which I wish to refer is of particular importance to me and the people I represent. There is an absolute need for the Government to consider introducing penalties in respect of landlords and tenants in circumstances where anti-social behaviour occurs in private rented accommodation in respect of which the Department of Social Protection is paying rent allowance. Where the State is contributing towards the renting of a property, it should have some power to ensure that the law of the land is respected. In addition, it should have the ability to ensure that landlords and tenants respect those who live in neighbouring properties. Landlords and tenants must be obliged to obey their legal obligations. In circumstances where the State is paying rent allowance, the most effective form of enforcement would be to either reduce or withdraw that allowance where anti-social behaviour occurs.

I could take the Minister to parts of my constituency - particularly areas in Bishopstown and Douglas - where there are many rented properties which are located in quiet and, in many cases, mature residential areas. In these places there is often persistent anti-social behaviour and excessive noise, such as through the playing of loud music. One can also see broken windows and rubbish dumped on neighbouring properties. In addition, one can witness raucous behaviour that is often threatening and intimidating in nature. The result of this is that people cannot enjoy living in their homes. In some cases, they cannot even have a quiet night in. Those to whom I refer have been intimidated and the Garda has had to be called. Even where action is taken, the type of behaviour I have outlined recurs either a few hours or days later.

The most galling aspect of this matter relates to landlords who are not proactive and who fail to engage in respect of properties they own, the tenants of which have been identified as giving rise to problems. We must take action in respect of those landlords who are only interested in obtaining access to rent allowance, who do not care about the state of their properties and who believe the feelings of those who own neighbouring properties to be irrelevant. In some instances, both landlords and tenants are becoming out of control. The most effective way to deal with these individuals is for the Government to take the initiative and ensure they are severely punished. This can be done by affecting the amount of money being paid to the tenant and landlord by the State.

The Private Residential Tenancies Board, PRTB, was set up to be the place of refuge for residents experiencing difficulty with tenancies or landlords. I know of two recent cases where there has been blatant disregard for the law but the punishment was a measly fine of a couple of hundred euro for the landlord. That means nothing to a landlord and the tenants had no penalty imposed, so they continued their behaviour. The landlord, owning many properties, continues on while laughing at us. This issue does not relate to just one landlord but a growing number of landlords who have no respect for anybody. It is time for us, on behalf of the citizen, to take charge of the matter and assume leadership. I am not interested in penalising either the landlord or the tenant but both should live up to their responsibilities. We must act against misbehaviour and I look forward to the Minister's response.

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