Fiach MacConghail (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Introducing rent control to stabilise the market and ensure rent prices rise at a modest rate in line with inflation will result in tenants in the private rented sector living in a more stable community and having a better quality of life. It is a feature of many European states where renting is seen as a viable, long-term option and if we are to encourage more use of the rental market, rent control is important. That came across clearly in our committee meetings when we met with many non-governmental organisations including Focus Ireland, Barnardos and so on. The Department of Social Protection argues that an increase in rent supplement levels will be swallowed up in rent increases. I have heard that but I believe those fears are exaggerated, and the risk of this happening could be offset to strengthen the existing measures in place to regulate rent levels. Bureaucracy, rent control, certification of standard of accommodation are the issues.

The final key point, and the Minister has been embroiled in a debate on this in the other House, is that in Part 4, a new scheme of housing assistance payment, HAP, by housing authorities in respect of rent payable by households that qualify for social housing support and who are long-term recipients of rent supplement from the Department of Social Protection will transfer to a new housing scheme. It is the infamous section 35. The Minister has calmed down the hysteria that emanated from the Dáil debate but I would like to hear her interpretation of section 35, which states: "Subject to regulations made for the purposes of subsection (4)(f) of section 20 of the Act of 2009, the provision of housing assistance under this Part shall be deemed to be an appropriate form of social housing support for a household that is determined by a housing authority under the said section 20 to be qualified for such support." My interpretation is that this Bill means a family will be deemed housed once they are provided with the housing assistance payment and will therefore be removed from the social housing list. The Minister might consider providing reassurance on that on Committee Stage by way of an amendment to allow me to consider how I will vote on Committee Stage.