James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1617. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that local authorities operate differing approaches to ensuring that boilers are serviced and maintained correctly; his views on the apparent absence of compliance in this area from some local authorities; if he has discussed this with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment; his further views on this and the impact the serious health and safety risks associated with this; his plans for legislation in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35038/17]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The management and maintenance of local authority housing stock is a matter for each individual local authority, as the statutory housing authority for its area. Responsibilities are also set by the local authorities, as landlords, for tenants of social housing which are normally set out in tenants' handbooks.

The Government’s Strategy for the Rental Sector, published in December 2016, sets out a number of actions in relation to standards, with the combined aim of improving the quality and management of rental accommodation. On 1 July 2017, the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2017 came into operation. The Regulations specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, fire safety, natural light and safety of gas and electrical supply, with new requirements introduced focusing on tenant safety, including new measures covering heating appliances, carbon monoxide and window safety. With very limited exemptions, these regulations apply to local authority and voluntary housing units, as well as other rented residential accommodation.

All landlords, including local authorities, have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations. Enforcement of the regulations rests with the relevant local authority supported by a dedicated stream of funding provided from part of the proceeds of tenancy registration fees collected by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). The capacity and effectiveness of the local authorities' inspections and enforcement systems are critical to ensure that the new standards result in high quality and safe rental accommodation.

Last year's report by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) on this area of inspection activity made a series of recommendations for improvements.  As a result of NOAC's review and my own Department's consideration of the matter, the Strategy for the Rental Sector specifically prioritises strengthening the inspection capacity of local authorities and increasing the number and frequency of inspections of rental properties.  A shared services model for inspection and enforcement of the rental accommodation standards regulations will be developed by the local government sector. Procedures for a more efficient, standardised and transparent inspection and enforcement approach across all local authority areas will be introduced. Under the Rental Strategy, this is targeted for completion by Q4 2017 and my Department is working with the local authorities, through the City and County Management Association, to develop this new and more effective inspection and enforcement system.

Specific ring-fenced funding for inspection and compliance activity will be identified from 2018 onwards and annual targets for both inspection and compliance will be agreed with local authorities. The objective set out in the Strategy is to increase inspection numbers incrementally each year so that, by 2021, 25% of all rental properties are inspected annually.

With regard to further legislation in this area, my Department will shortly be publishing a guidance document to assist local authorities in their implementation of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2017.  While I understand that certain local authorities undertake the servicing of boilers themselves and in other cases, this is the responsibility of tenants and is specified as such in tenants' handbooks, I am satisfied that in all cases, the minimum standards for rental accommodation apply and it remains a matter for each of the local authorities to ensure they are in compliance with these minimum standards.