Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy McDonald will be aware that yesterday the Minister, Deputy Coveney, announced his very comprehensive approach to the housing crisis in this country. Pillar 4 of that plan focuses on improvements in the rental sector. The Minister is committed to developing a comprehensive strategy for the rental sector by quarter 4 of 2016. Work is beginning immediately on the strategy for the rental sector. It will contain a range of actions focused on four key areas: security, or providing greater certainty to landlords and tenants; supply, by maintaining the existing levels of rental stock; an examination of standards, which are important; and a broadening of the powers of the Residential Tenancies Board to enable it to provide its services more effectively. As I said, work is beginning immediately on developing the actions that are needed, legislative and otherwise, for the rental sector.

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