Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 393: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans, if any, to amend the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 in view of the issues raised (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15665/12]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants in the private rented residential sector. While action to deal with anti-social behaviour is primarily a matter for An Garda Síochána, in the case of private rented dwellings landlords are responsible for enforcing the obligations that apply to their tenants. The Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) was established under the Act to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants in the private rented residential sector.

My Department conducted a review of the Act in 2009 with a specific emphasis on whether the Act best supports the PRTB's key functions and on whether legislative amendments would support either the achievement of additional operational efficiencies by the PRTB in the delivery of those functions or the broader good working of the private rented sector. The outcomes of the review were announced in April 2010 and the over-holding of property and the non-payment of rent by tenants were identified in the review as issues meriting specific attention.

The drafting of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2011 was approved by Government in July 2011 and the Bill is currently in preparation by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel in collaboration with my Department.