Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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955. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the part played by pre-63 accommodation in the housing market will be reviewed; if the effects of concentrations of pre-63 lets on the urban fabric will be reviewed; if he will assess and report on the considerations relevant to introduce legislation to subject the pre-63 designation to a sunset clause rather than have it continue into a third generation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31011/18]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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The Strategy for the Rental Sector, published in December 2016, recognises that the quality of rental accommodation is critical to the success and sustainability of the residential rental sector and its attractiveness as a long-term accommodation option for households. The Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2017 prescribe the minimum standards for rental accommodation for all rental accommodation, with very limited exemptions. Matters prescribed under these Regulations include structural repair, fire safety, sanitary facilities, ventilation and safety of gas, oil and electricity supply.

All landlords are legally obliged to comply with these Regulations. Enforcement of the Regulations is a matter for individual housing authorities, whose extensive powers range from inspections in order to ensure compliance with minimum requirements to the application of sanctions, up to and including prosecution in the District Court. Any person who believes a landlord is in breach of the Regulations can report the matter to the relevant local authority.

As regards the long-standing statutory provision to the effect that planning permission is not required for development of land commenced before 1 October 1964, I have no proposals to change this provision in respect of any particular class of development.