John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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558. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to set out the total budget and staffing of the Residential Tenancies Board in each of the years from 2015 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8048/25]

James Browne (Wexford, 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 2004-2024, to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.

My Department does not hold the details sought. However, arrangements have been put in place to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies to members of the Oireachtas. The RTB has set up a dedicated email address for this purpose and may be contacted at OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie to establish the extent to which it may hold the information sought.

John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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559. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government what measures he will take to increase the Residential Tenancies Board’s enforcement powers, as outlined in the 2025 programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8049/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Recent Governments have introduced significant changes to the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 - 2024 (RTA) in the past number of years to enhance tenancy protections and increase the powers of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).

The RTB was established as a quasi-judicial independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2024 (RTA) to regulate the rental sector; provide information to tenants and landlords; maintain a national register of tenancies; resolve disputes between tenants and landlords; impose sanctions for improper conduct by landlords; and conduct research and provide information to inform policy. My Department continues to work with the RTB to ensure it is sufficiently resourced to deliver on its expanded mandate.

The Programme for Government - Securing Ireland's Future, published on 23 January 2025, commits to continuing its support for renters and landlords. This includes measures to protect renters and landlords from abusive practices by enhancing the enforcement powers of the Residential Tenancies Board and establishing statutory deadlines for dealing with complaints.

I will work with my colleagues in Government to implement changes as necessary for the RTB and the sector during this Government’s term. My Department will work with the RTB to keep the operation of the RTB, the RTA and the residential rental sector under constant review to ensure that an appropriately balanced policy and legislative framework is maintained and effectively implemented and enforced by the RTB.