Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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146. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 184 of 19 October 2022, when this review may be published. [53611/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 was enacted with the primary purposes of reforming the law relating to the ownership and management of common areas of multi-unit developments and facilitating the fair, efficient and effective management of owners' management companies (OMCs).

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to conduct a review of the existing management company legislation, to ensure that it is fit for purpose and that it acts in the best interests of residents. This is referring to the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011. My Department will engage with other relevant Departments in relation to taking the appropriate steps to advance this matter and to progress this review.

I would like to add that well-functioning OMCs are key to maintaining and sustaining higher-density residential developments, such as apartments. ‘Housing for All - a New Housing Plan for Ireland’ was published late last year and is the government’s housing plan to 2030. This plan will support effective management and oversight of multi-unit developments by legislating for necessary changes. This work will be led by my Department, supported by the Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

To ensure that OMCs are financially sustainable, my Department, in collaboration with the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage will make regulations under subsection 17 of section 18 of the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011, prescribing the class or classes of items of expenditure which may be the subject of annual service charges; the procedures to be followed in setting such charges; matters to be taken into account in the setting of such charges; and arrangements for the levying and payment of such charges.

Regulations will also be made under subsection 9 of section 19 of the MUD Act to ensure that OMCs provide for expenditure of a non-recurring nature (i.e. sinking fund expenditure) and it will also examine the introduction of a non-statutory dispute resolution process. This process would determine disputes in relation to provisions of the MUD Act and in relation to covenants of head/main leases to which OMCs are party.

My Department will continue to engage with other relevant Departments in relation to taking the appropriate steps to advance these important matters. I am not in a position to advise the Deputy regarding the publication of this review until this engagement with other Departments has been completed.