Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 578: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will introduce a standardised complaints procedure in each local authority to facilitate and support private rented dwellings tenants in making complaints about substandard dwellings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9331/08]

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 580: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will set proper standards in order that in all cases fully qualified building inspectors will be employed for private rented dwellings inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9333/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 578 and 580 together.

I have no function in relation to these matters as the operation of complaints systems and staffing arrangements for inspections relating to private rented accommodation are the responsibility of individual local authorities. However, in discharging these responsibilities, authorities should have regard to the report — Good Practice Guidelines for Local Authorities on Standards in the Private Rented Sector: Strategic Planning, Effective Enforcement — published by the Centre for Housing Research in November 2007, which makes a range of recommendations on matters relevant to such complaint procedures and inspection regimes.