Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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124. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the directives that have been issued to local authorities in relation to housing inspections as restrictions across society are lifting. [32327/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light and safety of gas, oil and electrical supplies. With very limited exemptions, these apply to all private rented accommodation. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties, regardless of tenancy type, comply with these regulations. Responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulations rests with the relevant local authority.

Given the need for inspectors to enter tenants’ homes, Covid-19 pandemic restrictions have impacted on the inspection of all rented dwellings. The City and County Management Association’s (CCMA) Local Authority Resilience and Recovery Plan for living with Covid-19 (October 2020) and its subsequent Local Authority Services Frameworks for Future Covid-19 Pandemic Response (January and May 2021) do not permit rental inspections. This is in order to protect tenants, landlords and rental inspectors.

The CCMA Business Continuity Working Group met recently to discuss the further phased re-opening of local authority services in line with the most recent government guidance and planned easing of restrictions. Housing inspection services were discussed by the group. Following the Business Continuity Working Group meeting, a draft updated version of the CCMA Local Authority Services Framework for Future COVID-19 Pandemic Response document was sent to the CCMA for consideration. Its approval is awaited. Once approved, this framework will be circulated to all local authorities.