Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 474: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the person who is responsible for monitoring the standard of accommodation supplied under the rent supplement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36918/09]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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Minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008, made under section 18 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties, including rent supplement-supported private rented accommodation, comply with these regulations. Responsibility for enforcing the regulations rests with the relevant local authority, supported by a dedicated stream of funding allocated by my Department.

My Department is in ongoing communication with the Department of Social and Family Affairs, which is responsible for the operation of the rent supplement scheme, through the Community Welfare Service, regarding the need to ensure that rent supplement–supported private rented accommodation meets the requirements of the minimum standards regulations. In addition, my Department has written to all housing authorities to emphasise the importance, in this context, of regular liaison with, and appropriate action between, housing authorities and Community Welfare Officers at local level.