Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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106. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the person or body that has responsibility for an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4897/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as a quasi-judicial independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 (RTA) to regulate the rental sector; provide information to tenants and landlords; maintain a national register of tenancies; resolve disputes between tenants and landlords; and conduct research and provide information to inform policy). The remit of the RTB covers both the private rental sector and the not-for-profit housing providers commonly known as Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), and Student-specific Accommodation providers (SSA).

The Board of the RTB, established under the RTA, is accountable to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and is responsible for ensuring good governance at the RTB. The Board performs this task by setting strategic objectives and targets for the organisation and taking strategic decisions on all key business matters. The day-to-day management, control and direction of the RTB are the responsibility of the Director of the RTB and his senior management team. The Director and his team follow the broad strategic direction set by the Board and ensure that all Board members have a clear understanding of the organisation’s key activities and issues, the types of decisions the Board is required to make, and all significant risks the organisation is faced with. The RTB Director acts as a direct liaison between the Board and RTB management and he has a reporting line to the Board Chair.

The work and responsibilities of the Board are set out in the Board’s terms of reference and the schedule of matters specifically reserved for Board decision. In general, these incorporate the functions vested in the Board by the Act, governance decisions such as the appointment of Committee members or the approval of policies, key strategic and financial decisions such as the approval of plans, or the commitment of significant resources, and risk oversight of the RTB’s activities. The RTB has responsibility for the direct implementation of legislation and Government policy relating to the residential rental sector. It has a quasi-judicial and regulatory role and is independent in its decision-making functions. As a quasi-judicial service, there is a significant commitment made by the Board in overseeing certain decisions. Along with its monthly meetings, the Board convenes to consider decisions in fulfilment of its quasi-judicial role.

My Department and I, as Minister, are responsible for the oversight of the RTB and there is an Oversight Agreement and Performance Delivery Agreement (PDA) in place with the RTB making the clear the requirements for reporting to my Department.