Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 436: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied with the accuracy of the information given by him in response to Parliamentary Question No. 16 of 27 February 2008 in relation to inspections carried out regarding standards in the private rental housing sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14488/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In the course of the discussion on Question No. 16 of 27 February 2008, reference was made to levels of inspections and the percentage increases in inspections year on year. As some confusion arose, particularly in ascribing data to specific years, I would like to take the opportunity to set out the position clearly. Some 9,835 inspections of private rented accommodation were reported by local authorities in 2006, representing an increase of 44% on the corresponding figure for 2005. While complete data for 2007 are not yet available, I indicated previously that I expected the final position to show an increase of at least 33%. I now expect that the finalised data for 2007 will show an even bigger increase, possibly of the order of 40%.

Fuller details of the number of inspections carried out in each year up to 2006 are published in my Department's Annual Housing Statistics Bulletins. Similar information will be provided in the 2007 Bulletin, once finalised. I have no doubt that the significantly increased funding being made available to local authorities for inspection activity, and the manner in which I am increasingly linking funding allocations to actual inspections carried out, are contributing significantly to the improved performance. I hope to be in a position to further increase the level of funding for activity in this area when making 2008 allocations later this year.