Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

What is the legislative basis for the current guidelines? By which legislation are they governed? I was reflecting a view that there should be a transparent national code to which local authorities would adhere. The Minister mentioned aspects of the management of rents by local authorities. The area of assessments, for example, is an area about which many public representatives would have concern. In Dublin city in particular people would be of the view that figures were plucked out of thin air, so to speak. Officials might have had some basis for figures, particularly with adult children, changing family memberships and so forth, but sometimes it is very difficult to see a coherent policy in the assessment area. My experience is that virtually all major rent arrears cases I have represented had to do with assessment. On foot of assessments people had been paying their rents. There is a need for greater transparency in the area and the Minister might indicate the legislative basis for the current system and whether it would be advantageous to include it in this Bill.

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