John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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341. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government following the publication of his action plan for housing and homelessness four months ago, the status of the progress made to date on action 4.1 to develop a comprehensive strategy for the rental sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35087/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Pillar 4 of the Rebuilding Ireland, entitled "Improve the Rental Sector", commits to developing a comprehensive strategy for the rental sector in Q4 2016. The Strategy, which is on track to be finalised and published by the end of this year, will provide a vision for the development of a stable, strong and viable rental sector offering true choice for households, investment opportunities for providers and reflecting the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords.

The Strategy will be centred on the four critical areas of security, supply, standards and services. Following a stakeholder consultation event in Dublin on 20 October 2016, written submissions on policy matters relevant to the rental sector were invited from interested parties, up to 7 November 2016. Submissions were received from a wide range of stakeholders, which will contribute to shaping the strategy.

Rebuilding Irelandcontains a clear commitment to reporting regular progress, through both a monthly housing activity report and a quarterly overall progress report. The First Quarterly Progress Report on the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness - Rebuilding Ireland (in respect of Quarter 3 2016 commitments and actions) was published on 1 November 2016, and can be accessed through the following link:- .

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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342. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government following the publication of his action plan for housing and homelessness four months ago, the status of the progress made to date on action 4.2 to legislate to deal with circumstances where there are sales of property with tenants in situ and to address the Residential Tenancies Board's enforcement and dispute resolution powers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35088/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Pillar 4 of Rebuilding Ireland, entitled "Improve the Rental Sector", commits to bringing forward legislation to amend the Residential Tenancies Acts for early enactment. These legislative proposals will be given effect through the Planning and Development (Housing ) and Residential Tenancies Bill. The Bill includes measures to prevent a future recurrence of situations where large numbers of residents in a single development are simultaneously served with termination notices, together with other early actions to enhance the Residential Tenancies Board’s (RTB) enforcement and dispute resolution powers.

The Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016 was published on 8 November 2016 and is scheduled for Seanad Second Stage on Wednesday, 16 November 2016 .

Rebuilding Ireland contains a clear commitment to reporting regular progress, through both a monthly housing activity report and a quarterly overall progress report. The First Quarterly Progress Report on the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness – Rebuilding Ireland (in respect of Quarter 3 2016 commitments and actions) was published on 1 November 2016, and can be accessed through the following link:- .

Further progress reports will be published on a quarterly basis, with the next, in respect of Quarter 4 2016 commitments and actions, due to be published in January 2017. Each Quarterly Report will focus on the actions due to be progressed or completed in the preceding quarter.