Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the average monthly rent per unit paid to commercial landlords by size of dwelling; and the ways in which the overall rental bill is being reduced in line with the general drop in rents. [10546/09]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 190: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the average monthly rent per unit paid to commercial landlords by local authorities; and the ways in which the overall rental bill is being reduced in line with the general drop in rents. [10547/09]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Question Nos. 189 and 190 together.

The average rent paid per month by local authorities to private landlords participating in the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) and broken down by local authority and unit size, is set out in the following tables:

Both sets of costs set out above are based on the 2007 figures supplied to my Department by local authorities. The information for 2008 is being sought currently.

The amount of rent paid to private landlords through RAS is a matter for individual authorities, having regard to the need to obtain value for money. Guidance from my Department in relation to this matter emphasises the need for authorities to obtain competitive prices for property. Having regard to the benefits to landlords in joining the scheme, in most circumstances authorities obtain discounts on the prevailing market rates.

Additional guidance in relation to rental negotiations in respect of the Rental Accommodation Scheme has been developed and is due to issue from my Department shortly.