Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State. This is one of the most important housing Bills to come before this House. While we have waited some time for this legislation, it is most welcome because it provides landlords and tenants with an effective means of resolving disputes, which arise between them. The Bill also addresses some of the long-standing deterrents to investing and residing in rented accommodation. I hope, as the Minister of State said, it will lead to greater professionalism within the sector.

I am fearlessly on the side of the tenant having been a tenant during my years as a student. The Minister of State mentioned student accommodation, an issue about which I would like to speak. I do not believe the matter is one which comes within the remit of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government alone. The lack of student accommodation in Galway city arises every year. I am sure other Members may speak of similar experiences in their counties. Students wishing to attend university or the institute of technology experience great difficulties trying to obtain accommodation. I welcome that under the Bill tenants will not be tied to a four year tenancy agreement. This problem is worsening every year. Perhaps the universities and institutes could get involved in assisting the student population.

Galway city is the most popular for students not only in Ireland but in Europe. There are many tracts of land in Galway city that could be used to provide more campus accommodation under the various lease-back arrangements or public private partnerships. Yet, students must queue for basic information on where they might get accommodation. It is also important we deal with the issue of substandard accommodation. Along with the large number of students attending university or the institutes in Galway, there is also a large student nursing population with overseas students constituting a large number in that regard. That issue has not up to now been discussed in the Dáil or Seanad.

Another issue, which arose on the doorsteps during the campaign on the local elections was that of absentee landlords. We can legislate until the cows come home about the responsibilities of landlords, but my experience in Galway has taught me that it is difficult to resolve disputes if one cannot find landlords.

The Minister of State's comments about the construction of houses were important. He mentioned that 58,000 houses were built in 2002 and he reminded the House that housing output increased last year. It is important that we provide housing in the rental sector. I ask the Government to examine places where there are long waiting lists. I am proud that 96 houses were built by the end of 2003 in Tuam, in my home county. The Minister of State knows about the houses in question, which are in the voluntary and social housing sectors. Such projects are of great benefit to those on the Tuam waiting list. I have seen figures which indicate that one might have to wait for three years to get a house on the east side of Galway city and four years to get a house on the west side of the city. It is clear that the city has grown. Despite the increases in housing output, people are finding it difficult to find somewhere to live. Students and people looking for employment face real difficulties because the waiting list in the city is so long. The housing situation has improved significantly in other parts of Galway.

I join the Minister of State in complimenting Mr. Tom Dunne, the chairman of the interim board that was put in place after the commission was established. The Minister of State spoke about the lack of information about the private rental sector, which is one of the issues that will be dealt with by the commission.

The Irish Property Owners' Association has made a ridiculous argument about the bureaucracy of registration. If people cannot register and pay the small fee of €70 per tenancy, they are avoiding the situation. The Minister of State said a small number of people has registered. According to figures from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, 26,982 houses were registered in 2003. The 2002 census of population indicated the number of private rented dwellings almost doubled from 71,000 to 141,000 between 1991 and 2002. Just 20% of privately rented dwellings are registered, therefore. The board and the Department need to ensure we have a higher level of registration. The IPOA has said that the registration provisions are unnecessary bureaucracy. I do not know why it is afraid of registering properties at a cost of €70, or €300 for a multiple unit. When one takes into account the tax break, it amounts to 20 cent per week. There is no excuse for not registering the accommodation.

The board will also have to deal with the important issues of research, monitoring, policy, advice and information. I hope that will happen. The Minister of State mentioned the important role of dispute resolution. It would be unfortunate if matters had to go to court. The board has a major role in resolving certain issues by getting involved. The board will act like university and IT authorities, which give people lists of accommodation. We do not know enough about the private rented sector. The job done by universities in providing names and addresses of accommodation providers could be done usefully by the board.

I saw on "Oireachtas Report" last night that there is some difference of opinion about the six-month rule and the four-year cycle. I hope we can resolve the issue. It is important to state that tenants will not be tied into the four-year rule. The good balance we want to achieve in the Bill is provided by the period of grace of six months given to landlords. Property owners argue that there should be more flexibility. Perhaps I am fearlessly on the side of tenants, but I think there should be more flexibility and more investment. I agree with Senator Bannon, who said we need more investment to ensure more housing is provided in the rental sector or for people who want to purchase. I would hate people to be forced to purchase early because they are in rented accommodation.

This is a very welcome Bill and I hope it can be passed quickly. The establishment of the commission and the board by the Minister of State is a good move. We have time to deal with the issues that exist. I welcome the Bill's approach to the questions of early intervention and dispute resolution.