Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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261. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of the €9 million allocated to the RTB and Housing Agency to support social housing deliver as outlined in budget 2018; the amount that has been spent; the way in which the money has been spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27239/18]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 regulates the landlord-tenant relationship in the rented residential sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants.  The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Act to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants. The support of social housing delivery does not come under its remit.

While the RTB has recourse to sources of external funding primarily via tenancy registration fees, these resources are not sufficient to fund the anticipated full operating expenses for 2018, estimated at €15.8 million.  As a consequence, Exchequer funding of €4.39m is being provided in 2018 to support the RTB's operations.  This grant amount reflects the expansion of the RTB’s core functions as a result of actions and commitments under Rebuilding Ireland and the Strategy for the Rental Sector.  A further €950,000 has also been provided for in the RTB's 2018 budget in relation to the establishment of a Deposit Retention Scheme. In total, funding of €2.355m has been drawn down by the RTB to date in 2018.

The Housing Agency provides essential support to Local Authorities, AHBs and my Department in the delivery of housing and housing services and is provided with an annual grant to fund its operational costs. In addition, under the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013, the Agency administers the Pyrite Remediation Scheme and makes payments on behalf of the Pyrite Resolution Board.  In total, provision has been made for €37.1m in funding to the Housing Agency in 2018 to cover its range of activities, €30m of which relates to the Pyrite Remediation Scheme. To date, funding of €15.147m has been drawn down, €11.560m of which is pyrite remediation related.