John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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343. 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 4.3 to complete the review of the Housing (Standards for Rental Houses) Regulations 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35089/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am committed to developing a real and meaningful strategy for the rental sector to enable it to develop to its full potential. Ensuring quality accommodation standards in the sector is an integral part of this process.

Minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008, as amended by the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) (Amendment) Regulations 2009, made under section 18 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992. The Regulations specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light and safety of gas and electrical supply.  With very limited exemptions, these regulations apply to local authority and voluntary housing units as well as private rented residential accommodation. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations.

To ensure that the standards reflect the requirements of a modern rental market, a review of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008, as amended, has been initiated. The review is at an advanced stage with new regulations currently being finalised for conclusion before the end of the year.

Additionally, as indicated in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, a number of measures in relation to improving the enforcement of standards will be considered in developing the strategy for the rental sector, including a move towards delivery of enforcement services on a regional basis.

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.