Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 431: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the guidelines that are in place in relation to the rental accommodation scheme of housing; the percentage of a development that any given developer can offer to a local authority for such a scheme; if a developer can offer two different development blocks within the one overall development for such a scheme; if all such schemes have to have clearance from the Health Service Executive before they are allocated; the number of units rather than the percentage of units that are accepted in total in one overall development or in different sections of an overall development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13135/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Guidelines have been issued to local authorities relating to the procurement of accommodation for RAS. Authorities are advised in procuring accommodation to have regard to the quality of accommodation, the demand within particular areas, and tenure mix generally and at individual project level.

There is close cooperation between local authorities and the Health Service Executive community welfare service in the implementation of RAS. However, the supply of suitable accommodation is a matter for the local authority concerned.

RAS is midway through its implementation period and my Department is currently carrying out a Value for Money and Policy Review of the scheme with the specific aim of making recommendations, as required, for changes in its operation. The need for further guidance in relation to the matters referred to will be considered in the light of this review.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 432: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied that the legislation under which the Private Residential Tenancies Board has been established is proving adequate for allowing landlords and tenants the quick resolution of disputes; if he has issued policy directions to the board concerning the manner in which disputes should be handled or the length of time to reach adjudication; if he has applications from the board for increased resources to deal with its workload; the nature of the application; his views on the application; and if he will make a statement on the success of Government policy in this area. [13150/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The establishment of the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PTRB) has provided a strong regulatory framework for the private rented residential sector. Since its establishment, the Board has achieved considerable success in the registration of tenancies, with in excess of 210,000 tenancies now registered, compared to no more than 30,000 under the previous system of registration.

The PRTB has a function of reviewing the operation of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 and of making recommendations for the amendment of the Act and any other related enactments, where this is considered necessary. I am open to considering any such recommendations and I understand that the PRTB has recently identified possible amendments to the Act that may enhance the Board's operations. These amendments are being considered in the context of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill which is currently being drafted.

The operation of the dispute resolution service under the 2004 Act is the responsibility of the PRTB itself, given its independent statutory status under the Act. I am conscious that an efficiently operating disputes resolution system is a central part of the Board's work. I understand that the PRTB is currently reviewing its operations and processes in the context of developing a new Corporate Plan, within which priority attention will be given to the optimisation of all aspects of the Board's work, including its disputes resolution service. Having fully provided for the funding of the PRTB's activities each year since its establishment in 2004 and having also recently secured a significant increase in the Board's permanent staff from 26 to 40, which is the full complement requested, I am satisfied that the resources now in place are sufficient to allow the Board to address issues arising from its Corporate Plan and discharge its functions efficiently and effectively.