Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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593. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of requests received from the Residential Tenancies Board for permission to employ additional staff in 2017 and to date in 2018; the number approved, pending or refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26646/18]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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Demand for the RTB’s services has increased significantly due to the increasing size of the rental sector and also because of the changing regulatory structure. Furthermore, a number of additional functions have been added to the remit of the RTB since 2017, including:

- implementation of new Rent Predictability Measures, such as the introduction of Rent Pressure Zones and associated on-going analysis,

- increased engagement with the Approved Housing Body (AHB) Sector,

- integration of Rent Tribunal functions into the RTB,

- introduction of free Mediation Services,

- development of a voluntary Landlord Accreditation Scheme,

- establishment of a one-stop shop,

- establishment of one-person Tribunals,

- increased education/awareness and research role, and

- consideration and analysis in respect of a Deposit Protection Scheme.

Legislative changes are currently being drafted which will make it an offence to implement rent increases that contravene the limit of a 4% increase in rent per annum in Rent Pressure Zones and the RTB will be given the necessary powers and resources to protect tenants from illegal rent increases. The RTB, in consultation with my Department, is currently in the process of developing a new workforce plan, which will outline future staff resource requirements, taking into account the plans to expand the RTB's role.  

The table sets out staffing requests made by the RTB since 2017.