Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Senators who contributed to the debate for the positive support for the progress being made. I particularly appreciate the support on the matter of bedsits, which has come from all sides of the House, because we are keen to ensure that we improve standards. There were several common themes among the contributions and I will address these and refer to some of the individual Senators as well.

One theme raised by Senator Wilson related to the difficulties for landlords. I appreciate that there are difficulties for landlords. Senator Keane and others referred to the fact that we are trying to strike a balance. There are issues for landlords and tenants and we are keen to ensure that we address the issues on both sides. A number of Senators referred to the difficulties for landlords. Part of this area is not under my responsibility but under the responsibility of the Minister for Finance. However, I am a member of the Cabinet sub-committee on mortgage arrears, as is the Minister for Finance. Representatives from the Central Bank of Ireland and the Financial Regulator attend these meetings as do several other Ministers and senior officials from various Departments. That is one forum for addressing the difficulties of landlords and the issue of distressed mortgages in the buy-to-let sector. There are genuine difficulties here and I recognise that they exist.

Senator Barrett remarked on the extent of the emphasis on investment in the property sector instead the productive sector of the economy. We are trying to address that. He also raised the issue of the NAMA units, as did other Senators. We are trying to get these NAMA units on the market. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, and I meet representatives from NAMA from time to time. We are trying to get some units for the social housing sector and we have had some success. I was in Drogheda last week visiting people who are in NAMA units. NAMA is also working to ensure it gets property into the private market as well, although perhaps we should put more pressure on it in this regard.

Issues of enforcement and inspections were raised by several people. There was much commendation for Dublin City Council. I agree it has carried out some very good work on inspections and enforcement and we are positively encouraging this.

Issues of money and funding were raised, mainly by Senator Conway. The Private Residential Tenancies Board, PRTB, is self-financing but a percentage of the money is allocated to the local authorities for inspection and enforcement. We expect the local authorities to spend this money on inspection and enforcement. Dublin City Council has led in this regard as have the local authorities in Cork, to which Senator Clune referred. A court case arose in Cork recently in Bishopscourt which vindicated rights of residents in that area and that is to be welcomed. We are putting an emphasis on inspection and enforcement.

Another issue raised by several Senators on both sides was the prevalence of anti-social behaviour. There is a problem with the law at the moment because of a court case which struck down section 82, a provision which had been used by housing authorities to address anti-social behaviour. We need to address that issue.

Senator Brennan referred to issues of overcrowding where it may lead to anti-social behaviour. I will have to get back to Senator Brennan with regard to whether we can specifically address overcrowding. I am keen to address issues of anti-social behaviour because it causes real misery for residents, tenants, neighbours etc. It is a difficult problem to resolve but the PRTB has some powers in this area.

If we can address this issue, whether in the context of legislation or otherwise, we will certainly consider doing so.

I compliment Senator Hayden on her wide knowledge of this area. She raised specific issues regarding the certification system. We would probably need a lead-in time if we were to address the issues raised because they would place certain obligations on landlords. The writs for the buy-to-let sector touches on the other issue I referred to earlier.

I will address the general issues raised in regard to housing if I have time but first I want to speak about deposit protection because it is a central part of what we want to achieve in this legislation. I am minded to introduce amendments in the Seanad rather than on Committee Stage in the Dáil in order to allow them a full airing.