COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 13, 2008

QUESTION NO.9

QUESTION: Councillor R. Dowds

To ask the Manager to again write to the Minister for the Environment asking him to meet South Dublin County Council (as requested by us in late 2007) in the near future to discuss the possibility of legislation in order to deal with the problems caused by a small minority of tenants in private rented accommodation?

REPLY: On foot of the passing of a motion at the meeting of the  County Council held in June 2007 which recommended that the Minister for the Environment  strengthen the powers and resources of the PRTB; introduce greater penalties for dealing with non registered landlords;improve liaison with the Revenue Commisioners and introduce powers to compel  landlords to maintain their properties, the motion was referred to the Minister for the Environment who replied that the PRTB was reviewing the relevant legislation.

A further motion dealing with ASB in private rented dwellings was tabled  by Cllr Dowds for the July Council meeting in 2007 but consideration of same was deferred to the meeting of the Council held in September. On foot of the passing of the motion in September it was agreed that meetings would be sought on the issue with the Minister for Health and Children, the Minister for the Environment and the Chief Executive of the HSE.

A meeting was held on the issue with Ms Mary Harney TD,the Minister for Health and Children on the 23rd of November last. A delegation of six Councillors attended.

A similar meeting will again be requested of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.