Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he is taking to ensure that all rented accommodation is inspected by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30544/07]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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All landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that their rented properties comply with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 1993. Responsibility for enforcing the regulations rests with the relevant local authority. I have no function in the day-to-day operation of the inspection function in local authorities.

Good progress is being made with the action programme announced in September 2006 to promote improvement in standards of private rented accommodation, involving a range of measures including improved regulation, enforcement, funding and information. Enforcement is a key element of the programme and funding provided to local authorities for inspection purposes, from the proceeds of tenancy registration fees, is increasingly being linked to enforcement performance. Two reports recently published by the Centre for Housing Research on measures to promote improvement in private rented accommodation standards, particularly good practice guidelines for local authorities on enforcement, will also help to improve effectiveness in this area.

Housing authorities are giving greater priority to enforcement of the regulations. The number of inspections carried out in 2006 increased by 44% over 2005, reflecting the impact of the action programme on standards and progress with the rental accommodation scheme. The rate of compliance with the regulations reported by local authorities has also improved.

I have taken a number of opportunities, when meeting local authorities, to emphasise my determination to ensure that the good progress being made in the enforcement area is built on further. I will continue to assign a high priority to this area in the period ahead.

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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The Minister will be aware that legal action was taken in only 11 cases this year, which is unacceptable. A survey conducted in 2005 found that 30% of private rented accommodation was substandard. Some of the premises did not have, for example, proper central heating, refrigerators or even cookers. The Minister spoke about reviewing the standards in September 2006 but he has not yet published revised standards. Can he update the House on when the new standards will be published? A total of 38% of the people on waiting lists are single. They appear to have been left at the bottom of the pile. Does the Minister have any initiatives to house these people? The affordable housing scheme is clearly not working in view of the number of people on housing lists. Are there any new initiatives in this regard?

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I thought I already answered that question when I said we are meeting the targets for social housing. With regard to the standards for private accommodation, there were 30,000 rented accommodation properties registered in 2003. The figure for 2007 is 200,000. There has been a dramatic improvement in this area. With regard to standards, a total of 700,000 new units have been built in the past ten years so those units are, by and large, in good condition. That is not to say there are not other properties that require upgrading. The Deputy has made the point that local authorities are not required to inspect all accommodation. It would be a waste of the local authorities' resources to inspect new properties. The best use of those resources is to target them at the categories where one is most likely to find non-compliance.

I have allocated €7 million for enforcement since 2004. This year I allocated €3 million, a 50% increase on last year's allocation. The first tranche of €1.5 million was paid out at the end of November to the local authorities that were meeting targets and appeared to be working well in this area. The balance of €1.5 million will be given to the local authorities that achieve inspection targets to ensure there is compliance. A fine system has been introduced for people who have not registered. The fine has increased significantly, from €1,270 to €3,000, and imprisonment can follow in cases where there is continued non-compliance.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I remind the Minister and Members that there is one minute each for each reply and supplementary question.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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We appear to be back in the same situation as a month ago, with the Minister confusing registration with licensing. The key issue is standards. According to today's Irish Independent, a report from the Institute of Public Health in Ireland warned that the death rate linked to damp houses in this country is among the highest in Europe. More than 2,800 Irish people die every winter after suffering the ill effects of living in cold and damp houses. Another report published in November by the State-funded Centre for Housing Research found that substandard housing is far more common among rent supplement properties than in the rest of the private housing sector. This demonstrates that there is no base minimum line for the rental sector, be it local authority or private. Local authorities should be operating minimum standards. The Minister is well aware that some local authority properties are well below an acceptable standard.

As I asked the Minister a month ago, will the Government consider introducing a licensing system for letting properties, both in the private and local authority sectors, which would guarantee key fundamental requirements such as, for example, central heating, proper insulation and hot and cold running water? A month ago the Minister confused the idea of registration with a licensing standard. He is correct that the PRTB has increased registration, but registration is an entirely different concept. We will continue to revisit this issue until the Minister deals with licensing. Will the Government consider the introduction of a licensing system?

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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There are two issues and Deputy Lynch is now confusing regulation and licensing. I indicated that we intend to produce new, improved regulations early in the new year. The regulations will pertain to the outward appearance of private rented accommodation — the paths, driveways and so forth — and, in particular, to the type of heating and insulation levels in the house. These issues will be covered under the recommendations made in the new regulations.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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That is a quantum leap from a month ago when the Minister gave no such indication when he was asked about it.

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy was mixed up at the time, not me.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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The Minister was confused but he has now offered clarity, which I welcome. Fair play to the Minister, he has read his brief a little more since then.

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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With regard to licensing, a report issued by the Centre for Housing Research suggested a pilot system for certification of compliance with private rented accommodation standards. We are examining the centre's proposals at present. I do not anticipate them being introduced immediately because a great deal of research is required in this area. I will report to the Dáil as soon as we make a final decision on the issue.