Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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93. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the plans he has for further reform in the rental sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3714/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Government and I are committed to supporting and developing a fair and effective residential rental sector that is efficient, stable and responsive and that provides long-term and secure tenancies and investment returns.

As set out in the Housing for All Action Plan Update (published in November, 2022), my Department has commissioned a comprehensive review of the private rental sector. This review will take into account the significant regulatory changes over the past several years will report on how our housing system provides an efficient, affordable, safe and secure framework for both landlords and tenants.

This review will include a thematic review of the principal and relevant elements of the Rental Market and the Government will act on its recommendations. Its conclusion will be utilised to inform future policy direction for the Rental Market.

The review which is already underway and will be concluded as early as possible, will include a public consultation as well as targeted engagement of various external stakeholders.

In terms of the operation of the Residential Tenancies Acts more generally, any changes to the Acts require careful consideration and my Department engages with all relevant stakeholders, including the Attorney General, the Residential Tenancies Board, as well as landlord and tenant representative bodies, to ensure that legislative change is made in a careful, fair, measured and balanced manner.