Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 298: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some letting agencies are charging fees of between €80 and €100 to social welfare recipients to consult with a landlord on reducing the amount of rent charged; and that such a fee is prohibitive for many people in receipt of social welfare allowances; his plans to prohibit this practice; the method by which he will do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25916/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009 provides for establishment of the Property Services Regulatory Authority on a statutory basis. One of the primary functions of the new statutory Authority will be to operate a licensing system for property services providers, including letting agents.

Part 7 of the Bill makes detailed provision for a comprehensive system for investigating complaints against licensees and imposing appropriate sanctions where such complaints are upheld. The Bill provides that any person may make a complaint to the Authority concerning the provision of a property service and requires the Authority to investigate the complaint.

The Bill was presented in the Seanad on 7 May 2009 and is currently awaiting Committee Stage.