Results 481-500 of 1,061 for speaker:Séamus McGrath

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Issues Facing the Residential Rental Sector: Discussion (15 Jul 2025)

Séamus McGrath: Okay. I will quickly turn to the IPAV. In his opening statement Mr. Davitt referred to the negative controls on landlords. He said it needed to turn more towards incentives. He mentioned section 23. Could he elaborate on exactly what incentives he refers to? What is he calling for?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Issues Facing the Residential Rental Sector: Discussion (15 Jul 2025)

Séamus McGrath: Is Mr. Davitt saying tax incentives are needed?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Issues Facing the Residential Rental Sector: Discussion (15 Jul 2025)

Séamus McGrath: I will turn very briefly to Threshold. I was going to ask about HAP limits but Deputy Gould asked a question on that. I thank Threshold for the work it does because, as public representatives, we regularly engage with tenants who are in touch with Threshold. When people are served a notice to quit and they present for homeless accommodation, does Threshold notice a trend whereby it is more...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Issues Facing the Residential Rental Sector: Discussion (15 Jul 2025)

Séamus McGrath: Okay.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Issues Facing the Residential Rental Sector: Discussion (15 Jul 2025)

Séamus McGrath: It is Fine Gael's slot again if there are further questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Issues Facing the Residential Rental Sector: Discussion (15 Jul 2025)

Séamus McGrath: One of the issues that is constantly raised with public representatives regarding the RTB involves the delays in resolving complaints or disputes on the landlord and tenant side. Where does the RTB see things now in terms of its timeline for dealing with disputes? Does it see that timeline coming down? It has been said that additional resources are being made available. Could the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Issues Facing the Residential Rental Sector: Discussion (15 Jul 2025)

Séamus McGrath: That is very welcome to hear. Is the increase in hearings and tribunals the result of the RTB getting to them sooner or is it the result of an increased number of disputes?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Issues Facing the Residential Rental Sector: Discussion (15 Jul 2025)

Séamus McGrath: I wish to pick up on the trend there. The RTB's opening statement indicates there has been a 4.6% increase in the first quarter, which is contrary to much of the commentary we hear about landlords getting out and so on. However, it is fair to say that new tenancies would be disproportionately on the larger landlord side than the smaller landlord side. Would the witnesses agree there is an...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Issues Facing the Residential Rental Sector: Discussion (15 Jul 2025)

Séamus McGrath: To what extent are unregistered tenancies - landlords who are effectively operating in the black market - an issue across the country?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Issues Facing the Residential Rental Sector: Discussion (15 Jul 2025)

Séamus McGrath: Is that number reducing as a result of the RTB campaign?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Issues Facing the Residential Rental Sector: Discussion (15 Jul 2025)

Séamus McGrath: Would it be fair to say that those 25,000 are not paying tax on their rental incomes? Would the RTB be able to pick up on that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Issues Facing the Residential Rental Sector: Discussion (15 Jul 2025)

Séamus McGrath: If someone is paying tax on his or her rental income, is there a way for the RTB to pick up on the tenancy?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Issues Facing the Residential Rental Sector: Discussion (15 Jul 2025)

Séamus McGrath: Right now, though, there is no link between the RTB and the Revenue Commissioners.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Issues Facing the Residential Rental Sector: Discussion (15 Jul 2025)

Séamus McGrath: Therefore, the RTB cannot pick up on a landlord who is not registered with it but may be paying tax. My final question is a blunt question but goes back to my earlier question about how long it takes to resolve disputes. If a tenant stops paying rent today and the landlord makes a complaint to the RTB, what is the estimated timeframe for dealing with that and getting the house back for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Issues Facing the Residential Rental Sector: Discussion (15 Jul 2025)

Séamus McGrath: It is an early stage-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Issues Facing the Residential Rental Sector: Discussion (15 Jul 2025)

Séamus McGrath: -----negotiation attempt. That is good.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Issues Facing the Residential Rental Sector: Discussion (15 Jul 2025)

Séamus McGrath: I know we are caught for time. I will pick up on the issue of resources again. I asked about them at the outset. It is critically important that additional resources are provided. It is an issue that the RTB is properly resourced in terms of landlords staying in the rental market. It is equally important from a tenant's point of view that the RTB is properly resourced. The committee...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2025: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (15 Jul 2025)

Séamus McGrath: I welcome this. It is very important that we give the businesses involved certainty up until 30 September 2026. That is very welcome. One of the positive outcomes from Covid is the fact that businesses started to utilise outdoor spaces to a far greater extent. It is welcome that they are now able to provide those facilities without incurring a licence fee. On regulation and enforcement,...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Credit Unions (15 Jul 2025)

Séamus McGrath: 160. To ask the Minister for Finance the role credit unions play in supporting the delivery of social housing through the Credit Union Approved Housing Body Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39014/25]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Tolls (15 Jul 2025)

Séamus McGrath: 294. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request that the barrier tolls on the M7 and M8 be waived on Sunday, 20 July 2025, the day of the all-Ireland hurling final; if waiving of the fees is not possible, if he would recommend a system of online self-declaration and barrier-free travel on that day; and if it is intended to introduce barrier-free tolling on a...