Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The reduction in staff to which the Deputy refers was entirely attributable to the introduction of new IT systems to deal with tenancy registration and the database within the PRTB. The Deputy will know that registration was dealt with initially using hard copies, which was inefficient, cumbersome and labour intensive. With the new IT systems, it was found the process did not need to be as labour intensive. It was far more efficient and streamlined. The introduction of the deposit protection scheme, which I am glad the Deputy has welcomed, will send a signal to the rental market and landlords that tenancies will be secure. There will be more certainty as tenants transfer from one tenancy to another. That is all very important. I assure the Deputy that the additional staff have been appointed. A practical process must now be commenced to establish the new scheme. This requires a substantial body of work, and we will deliver on it as soon as practicable.

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