Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Deputy. His point is very well made and his concerns are very valid; I fully accept that. As I have said, there is a target for 25%, more needs to be done and we are trying to achieve that with increased funding, albeit in very constrained circumstances due to the pandemic. My Department has increased funding. As I said, the current €10 million budget should allow the sector to inspect almost one in four of all rental properties each year. The regulations also empower local authorities to enforce these standards through financial and other penalties, with the aim of trying to ensure that everyone in our country can live in a high-quality home. The Deputy referred to very vulnerable individuals and it is our absolute will and intention to protect them, and that is why we are increasing funding.

The Covid-19 pandemic has also greatly impacted on rental inspections but, hopefully, it will be safe for rent inspectors to conduct on-site inspections very soon. I commend the local authorities for participating in the new initiative, the virtual inspection pilot project, which saw some 14,000 conducted last year, especially in Dublin City Council, which led the initiative. The support of local authority enforcement of minimum standards in rental accommodation will continue to be an important element of our rental market strategy. It will be included in the upcoming whole of Government approach housing for all strategy, in which we will commit to continued investment as well as strategic development of the area for the benefit of tenants and landlords alike. It is very important that this is a key focus of Government.

The Deputy's input today is key in guiding us by articulating very vulnerable positions within his community and we will work as hard as we can to ensure this will be increased. As Minister of State with responsibility for local authorities, I will also keep in close contact with them on this matter.

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