Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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310. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that HAP inspections are being outsourced to private companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62502/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 and specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical installations.

The regulations apply to all private rented accommodation, not just those dwellings where the tenancy is supported by Housing Assistance Payments (HAP).

All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these Regulations. Responsibility for enforcement of the Regulations rests with the relevant local authority. Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible.

Housing for All – the Government’s housing plan to 2030 - sets a target for the inspection of rental properties, which is 25% of all private residential tenancies, as soon as Covid-19 public health restrictions permit. Exchequer funding of €10 million will be made available to local authorities in 2022 to help them reach their inspection targets.