Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will support a matter regarding the property business (details supplied). [6565/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Property Services Regulatory Authority was established on 3 April 2012 under the provisions of the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011 to regulate, control and supervise property service providers (auctioneers/estate agents, letting agents and property management agents) and to establish and enforce standards within the property services industry. A new comprehensive licensing system for property service providers was established by the Authority with effect from 6 July 2012.The establishment of a Regulatory Authority with responsibility for the regulation of property service providers was originally recommended in the Report of the Auctioneering/Estate Agent Review Group. The 2011 Act providers for the licensing of all persons engaged in the provision of property services. It also provides that such persons meet a range of specified standards. Where a person fails to meet the specified standards, the Authority must refuse to licence that individual. It is not possible to quantify at this time the numbers of persons currently working in the sector who might cease to be employed as a property service provider due to their application for a licence from the PSRA having being refused. While taking full account of the Authority's independence in carrying out its statutory functions, I will keep the matter under review.