Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I look forward to working with colleagues on this in the months ahead, as will the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, and bringing forward the legislation. I thank colleagues for their views on the proposed Bill and their comments on the issues raised. We all acknowledge that there is overcrowding. There are different statistics for different situations but as we knock on doors and meet people, and as some people come to us, we hear of overcrowded situations, which we do not want to continue. That is why when we allocate social housing it is from the social housing waiting list. People often ask us why, if there are 10,000 houses, we cannot give those to the 10,000 people who are without a house. We have to work off the list in the right order, and we try to do this where we can. Many people who are in overcrowded situations or in substandard accommodation are waiting for a new social house. From meetings with the local authorities over the last couple of weeks I am glad that this year, we will be in a position to place 200 or 300 houses into the system, which will help to make a difference and bring some relief to many families who are waiting for housing. We need to continue doing that, as well as sorting out this sector, in the years ahead. I wanted to just touch on that area of supply.

On the current inspection powers and whether there is a time delay, if the owner of a house is causing or permitting the house to be overcrowded, the local authority can require the owner to desist from causing or permitting such overcrowding within a period not exceeding 21 days. The owner has 21 days to rectify it. This period would be normal enough in most cases, and we see this in the health sector too, whereby a person is given a little bit of time after an inspection. Perhaps some might think 21 days is too long, but if it is urgent there are other powers, such as those the fire services have. From an inspection and overcrowding perspective 21 days is generally accepted. The local authority can serve notice to the owner of the house specifying the maximum number of persons who may occupy the house without causing overcrowding. They do and can act quite fast. Under the Fire Services Acts 1981 to 2003, there is a provision to prohibit the occupation of premises, to which Part 3 of the Act applies, where necessary in serious cases. The authorities use those powers. That is not to say, however, that we cannot strengthen the legislation also.

Rather than going back over this, I believe we are all in general agreement that we need to act on this. That is why we propose to revisit this in the months ahead.

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