Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

191. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will introduce a ban on evictions into homelessness to address rising homelessness levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47261/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Having regard to the manifest and grave risk to human life and public health posed by the spread of Covid-19 and in order to mitigate, where practicable, the effect of the spread of that disease, the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 provided for a temporary moratorium on tenancy terminations, other than in exceptional and limited cases during the emergency period from 27 March 2020 to 1 August 2020.

The operation of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 - 2022 and the residential rental market, are kept under constant review by my Department, the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) and the Housing Agency and I will bring forward any necessary and justifiable legal change in a timely manner.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

192. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if a matter in relation to housing inspections on rental properties that are being carried out by local authorities will be examined (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47263/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical installations. They apply to all dwellings let or available to let, not just those with a Housing Assistance Payment assisted tenancy. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations. Responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulations rests with the relevant local authority.

The Government’s overall objective in Housing for All is that every citizen in the State should have access to good quality homes. Local authorities have a critical public role and duty in ensuring compliance with the standards for rental accommodation so that those wishing to rent can have access to high quality rental accommodation.

With respect to social housing, local authorities also have a legal obligation to ensure that all of their tenanted properties are compliant with the provisions of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019.