I thank Deputy O'Callaghan for the question. Section 134 of the Residential Tenancies Act requires a landlord to apply to the RTB to register a tenancy of a dwelling within one month of its commencement and, thereafter, within one month of each anniversary of its commencement date. All private landlords, approved housing bodies and providers of student-specific accommodation are required to register such tenancies. Subsection 136(b) of the RTA requires that when a landlord registers a tenancy with the RTB, the name…

First, I acknowledge the very egregious case outlined by Deputy O’Callaghan. I am aware that last Friday the Deputy communicated with the Minister, Deputy O’Brien, in respect of that particular example and he will escalate that within the RTB. In the main, the RTB is doing its job. The legislation which this Dáil has put through is very strong on the sanctions that are there and the offences, if convicted through the courts, are very significant, as I outlined in terms of the monetary fine as well as a term in pris…

I thank the Deputy for his question. The Government should firmly focus on what it has done and the evidence to date and on the law that has been passed to strengthen the powers of the RTB and the increase in resources which the board has to conduct its work to ensure that landlords are held to account on any breaches. The courts have the powers in the law. The Deputy is referring to a very particular case detailed in a letter issued by the Deputy last Friday where a landlord cannot be pursued because of his addres…

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 9 together. Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated social housing assessment regulations. The regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard househo…

I absolutely understand the concerns of the Deputies. Every week at my clinics I meet very vulnerable people who are concerned about inflation and the risk to their position on the housing list. We are committed to ensuring we get the right answer. As I outlined in my contribution this has to be balanced with the amendments we have made through Housing for All, having record delivery of social housing this year and other mechanisms to meet various needs in society. As I have said, to be very clear, the Minister, De…

I assure both Deputies that this is being treated with the most urgency within the Department. The Minister has been engaging with other Departments, as well, to try to finalise an approach that will ensure the most vulnerable in society are protected. That is our modus operandi in trying to get these regulations right. There are three bands throughout the network of 31 local authorities which, obviously, need to be reformed. That is key. We can see that from meeting constituents, in terms of the problems that have…

Housing for All, which was published in September 2021, provides a new housing plan for Ireland to 2030. Its overall objective is that every citizen in the State should have access to good-quality homes through a steady supply of housing in the right locations, with economic, social and environmental sustainability built into the system. The strategy sets out, in four pathways, a broad suite of measures to achieve its policy objectives, together with a financial commitment in excess of €4 billion per annum. The sui…

We clearly outlined the target numbers in the parliamentary question response for local authorities in terms of vacancy. We have had the biggest voids programme in the history of the State to bring in 6,000 voids over the past two years. It is highly inaccurate to say that the Department does not have targets when the evidence does not back up that assertion. Unfortunately, sometimes people feel that repeating things that are not correct in the Dáil makes them true. Unfortunately, it does not. As I have pointed out…

As I have said, repetition in the Dáil, unfortunately, does not make something true. As I have said-----

As I have said, 6,000 voids were brought back into use. That is the evidence over the past number of years.

There is a significant programme going forward, as I also referenced. With regard to Deputy Stanton's question on the current suite of measures, in the first instance we are ensuring that by the end of June there must be full-time vacant homes officers within local authorities. With the Croí Cónaithe scheme, we are awaiting regulations that will be launched shortly to try to bring properties back into use. It will be a key fund for towns and villages. There are other measures, such as the buy and renew and repair a…

It is true what they say about empty vessels. They absolutely make the most noise. Will the Deputy stop interrupting?

Can the Deputy stop interrupting?

If the Deputy keeps interrupting, I will not respond.

I gave the answer.

Senator Higgins's opposition to section 17 concerns technical drafting amendments with respect to remedial environmental impact statements as a result of the substantive changes in the Bill. I cannot accept the opposition to these sections. They comprise technical amendments necessary as a result of the repeal of section 177D and ancillary provisions relating to the decision of the board whether to grant leave to apply for substitute consent. The removal of the leave to apply stage when applying for substitute cons…

Senator Higgins has detailed the reasons for her opposition to section 18. The section contains technical amendments with respect to remedial environmental impact statements as a result of the substantive changes to the Bill. I note the concerns raised by the Senator. However, the removal of the leave-to-apply process when applying for substitute consent is one of the core elements of the Bill proposed and therefore we cannot consent to its removal.

We note Senator Higgins's opposition to section 19 of the Bill and the technical amendments with respect to the remedial environmental impact statements. We cannot accept the proposed opposition. These sections comprise technical amendments necessary as a result of the repeal of section 177D and ancillary provisions relating to the decision of the board on whether to grant leave to apply for substitute consent. The removal of the leave-to-apply stage when applying for substitute consent is one of the core elements …

I will address amendment No. 12, as tabled by Senator Higgins, which seeks to insert a new section 21 into the Bill relating to the thresholds of substitute consent. The amendment seeks to insert a provision whereby the provisions of this Bill, including the right to apply for substitute consent, shall not be applicable in respect of projects that have an estimated commercial value of greater than €5.48 million. I am opposing the proposed amendment No. 12. The amendments that have been proposed by the Government by…

In relation to the additional application, section 16 is clear that they are linked to substitute consent. In relation to those who do not embark on substitute consent, the planning enforcement mechanism that currently operates with the local authority system would be enforced.