Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am glad changes are coming, although I do not understand why it is being postponed until 2018. To highlight the problem, I note that in 2013, Wexford County Council inspected 1,075 private rented properties, but in 2015, it was 240 properties, and in 2016, it was 201. It just does not have the staff. There is a problem in regard to exactly who is going to inspect the properties, whether they are qualified or trained, and what they are trained in. It is a big area. The quality of a person's house has a lot to do with the quality of their life. The Government wants to promote the private rental sector, which is fine, but it does very little about quality. While changes are coming, will they be enough and will local authorities be given enough money to enable to them to carry out the inspections properly and introduce a really transparent system? If a place is inspected and recommendations are made but the landlord does not make the required changes, there is no follow-up. Will that be addressed as well?

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