Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 283: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position on the Residential Tenancy Act 2004 whereby local authorities are to take over the rental accommodation scheme for people in rented accommodation for more than 18 months; if landlords of health board tenants do not wish to be part of this scheme they can opt out; the position regarding disabled people or old age pensioners who are in receipt of a rent allowance and are in suitable accommodation for their needs but their landlords do not want to take part in the scheme; if there will be exemptions in their case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12792/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the rental accommodation scheme, RAS, local authorities will enter into arrangements with private landlords to provide accommodation to certain persons in receipt of rent supplement who are deemed by the local authority to have a long-term housing need. All private rented tenancies under the RAS will continue to be governed by the Residential Tenancies Act 2004.

Landlords are not obliged to participate in the scheme. Local authorities will seek to secure alternative suitable accommodation for tenants whose landlords do not wish to participate. In the meantime eligible RAS households will continue to be in receipt of rent supplement. Where prospective RAS households are offered accommodation they can refuse it. However, if a tenant refuses three offers of housing within a set period of 18 months, it could affect his or her entitlement to rent supplement for a period of 12 months. Subject to these conditions the local authority has discretion under the scheme to take into account the particular circumstances of individual cases.