John Cummins
Waterford · Fine Gael · Ireland
“To ensure a structured and comprehensive examination of the issues, the task force was organised under four work themes: structures, funding, functions and governance and accountability within the local government sector.”
“At the outset, I thank Senator Fitzpatrick for raising this important issue this morning. I am acutely aware of the strong interest that exists within this House in matters relating to local government.”
“Engagement took place with a wide range of organisations and representative bodies, including employer and employee representatives, community and voluntary organisations, academic experts and other key stakeholders.”
“I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2026, Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No. 2) Regulations 2026, Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No.”
“In that context, I welcome the opportunity to address the House and to provide an update on the progress made today in advancing that recommendation and strengthening local democracy more generally.”
“The task force was charged with delivering its report within the challenging timeframe of six to nine months. However, considerable preparatory work already completed across the sector provided a strong foundation and enabled that timeline to be achieved. The task force, as the Senator rightly pointed out, was chaired by Mr.”
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“Under the new reforms, all landlords will continue to have the option to sell with their tenants in situ at any time, with specific provisions for smaller landlords, that is, those with three or fewer tenancies, that allow more flexibility in recognition of family realities that may be faced by the owners of those rental properties. To stimulate investment and keep existing landlords in the market, the resetting of rents to market value for new tenancies created after 1 March this year will be allowed as part of the reform of rent controls. By allowing rent resetting for new tenancies from 1 March, existing and new landlords, who are vital for the sector, will be able to ensure that their investment remains viable. Importantly, however, rent resetting cannot apply where the most recent tenancy ended through a no-fault eviction.”
“It also noted other factors such as interest rates and measures to support viability that the Government was actively considering during the period of the review and that have subsequently been introduced, such as the VAT cut for apartments announced in budget 2026. This is why, at a meeting on 10 June 2025 the Government approved new policy measures to provide for the enhancement of rent controls and tenancy protections from 1 March this year. The stronger tenancy protections will provide further improvements in security of tenure, contrary to what Members have suggested in their contributions. The rental sector provides homes for a significant proportion of the population. We need to give people more certainty, stability and confidence that their tenancy will not be ended.”
“Over time, reduced supply is likely to see higher rents impact on tenant mobility. There is also the risk that landlords will not make the necessary investment in maintenance and refurbishment. The review also identified that Ireland's current RPZ system appears to be severe for two reasons. First, it set the rent cap at 2% or rate of inflation, whichever was lower, meaning that rent increases could not keep pace with inflation and, second, it did not allow for resetting of rents to market rent after a tenancy ended. The linking of rent regulation to a property rather than a tenancy, as is the case with RPZs, is viewed as a more stringent system of rent control. The review highlighted that RPZ reform could incentivise investment and would likely have a positive effect on supply.”
“As the House knows, we have already moved to introduce an extension of those RPZs and the Bill provides for national rent control. It is important to point out that the review suggested that there was a negative supply impact linked to the 2021 tightening of the RPZ rent controls including the imposition of a real price cut when inflation exceeds 2%, which correlated with an increase in the supply of homes for sale and a decline of rental registrations. The review also noted international research on rent control, which suggests that controlled rents deliver a considerable price reduction to sitting tenants. However, they might not significantly improve affordability. Tenants might have faced higher rents upon tenancy commencement in new rental accommodation with the rent increase restriction priced into the initial rent set.”
“The Housing Agency report recommended that the existing system of rent controls be modified with the introduction of a national system of rent controls allowing rental prices to adjust with inflation within a tenancy, and for rent resetting between tenancies to reflect market rents, with enhanced tenancy security measures to protect against economic evictions. That is exactly what we are doing with this Bill. The review involved extensive engagement with a wide variety of stakeholders, including investors, representatives of landlord and tenant advocacy groups, academics and the Residential Tenancies Board. The review involved an extensive analysis of domestic and international research on rent regulation. From the review, it is clear that areas covered by RPZs had significantly lower rent increases than those outside of RPZ areas.”
“The private rental sector review, published in July 2024, highlighted the need to improve certain aspects of rent regulation as did the Housing Commission, which is often cited by Members of the Opposition. As a result, the Housing Agency was requested to undertake a review of RPZs and its Review of Rent Pressure Zones and Consideration of Potential Policy Options for Rent Controls in the Private Rented Sector was published by the agency in June 2025. A key focus of the review was to examine the impact of RPZs on the rental market and to make recommendations on whether rent controls should be removed, modified or amended.”
“I thank the Senators for their contributions on the Bill today. We can all agree that a well-functioning rental market is key to individuals and families in all our areas and constituencies. The rental sector has grown considerably over the last few decades and we need to grow it further in light of the continuing increases in the population and the demand for housing. Through this Bill, the Government is establishing a more robust legal and policy framework to support increased investment in the rental sector to increase supply and choice for renters, which over time, coupled with our significant investment in the likes of cost rental, will reduce rents. The Bill aims to enhance the legal framework to support domestic and international investment in new rental properties, in particular, the supply of new apartments.”
“I would argue it is better that it be put on the rental market and put to good use while the person is abroad. The Deputy's amendment would prevent that person from being able to return to the property. Balances must always be found when it comes to putting legislation in place. That is why we are not accepting the amendments that have been put before us. It is all about balance and, contrary to the contributions we have heard from Opposition Deputies, the Government is trying to strike that balance.”
“Contrary to what was said by Deputies on the opposite side of the Chamber, everything in this Bill is about trying to enhance protections to ensure there is a reduction in notices of termination. That is what is contained in the Bill. Deputies can dress it up and try to present and package it in a different way but the fact is there will be restrictions on notices of termination as a result of the measures we are putting in place. In his amendment No. 38, Deputy Sheehan seeks to restrict the grounds for evictions where a family member has to return. I ask him to consider that we want rental properties to be put on the rental market where, for example, a family member is going off to work abroad. Is it better for such a property to sit vacant because that person will need it on his or her return or for it to be put on the rental market?”
“With all due respect, I did not interrupt the Deputy. Nobody here has a monopoly on compassion when it comes to the difficulties and challenges being faced by individuals and families regarding the shortage of housing supply, whether social, affordable or rental. At my constituency offices in Waterford city and Dungarvan, I deal with constituents in the exact same way as do other Deputies. The Minister and I are not blind to the challenges facing the public. We have a difference of view on how to address those challenges. The Government is investing record sums in increasing provision of social and affordable housing to try to assist the very people of whom we have been speaking. Our housing plan commits to deliver 72,000 social homes and 90,000 starter home supports.”
“Landlords with four or more properties can only terminate a new tenancy where there is a breach of tenant obligations or the dwelling no longer suits the needs of the tenant household. As a result, I reiterate I cannot accept amendments Nos. 9, 31 and 38.”
“This Bill strengthens protections for tenants by restricting the rights of landlords to terminate a tenancy, including on the ground of family occupation. I encourage anyone at risk of homelessness to make contact with their local authority for help. For new tenancies, that is, first-time tenancies between parties created on or after 1 March 2026, a smaller landlord can only terminate a tenancy of minimum duration during its six-year term on the ground of occupation by the landlord or an immediate family member, which is restricted to a spouse, civil partner, child or parent, or both. A smaller landlord can terminate, as usual, on one or more of the limited grounds for termination at the end of this six-year tenancy of minimum duration.”
“As promised in the programme for Government, the amount of the credit will increase gradually over the lifetime of this plan. A lengthy eviction ban or rent freeze would hamper supply and ultimately, help nobody. We do not have to look too far away from here. In Berlin, the Government introduced a rent freeze that resulted in a 50% reduction in rental supply within 12 months and was struck down by the Supreme Court there. The Residential Tenancies Acts provide tenancy protections for both tenants and landlords. The constitutionally protected property rights of landlords have to be respected by the balanced provisions in both this Bill and the Residential Tenancies Acts. A landlord has the right to terminate a tenancy on one or more of the limited grounds for termination under the Acts.”
“The Government’s new plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, will provide 90,000 affordable supports to help people secure a home of their own. Since 2022, 4,500 homes have been delivered by AHBs, local authorities and the LDA. There is a strong pipeline of future developments, with over 5,150 additional affordable purchase homes approved for support from the affordable housing fund across 22 local authority areas. From budget 2026, cost-rental homes will be exempt from corporation tax, making projects more viable and ensuring the 25% discount is maintained. The rent tax credit, introduced in budget 2023, has been of significant help for renters, with almost 400,000 people benefiting in 2023. In budget 2026, the credit was extended for three more years, until the end of 2028.”
“It would not be appropriate or legally sound to now use legislation intended to prevent the movement of persons in the interest of public health during a pandemic and to ease consequential rent affordability pressures, to introduce a three-year moratorium on tenancy terminations and rent increases at a time when thankfully, we have no pandemic to deal with. Irrespective of how the Opposition wishes to give effect to an eviction ban or a rent freeze, the Government rejects such policy interventions. We wish to grow the supply of rental accommodation. We want to help renters into the future. We know that some renters are facing significant challenges, which Deputies have articulated in their contributions. The State provides support and assistance, where needed.”
“The Government could, on the request of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage make - after consultation with the Minister for Health, and with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service, Reform and Digitalisation, - from time to time, by order extend the emergency period for such period as they considered appropriate if they were satisfied that, having regard to the threat to public health presented by Covid-19, the highly contagious nature of that disease, and the need to restrict the movement of persons in order to prevent the spread of the disease among the population, the making of such order was in the public interest. As the emergency period under the Act expired on 1 August 2020, its provisions relating to residential tenancies are effectively spent.”
“I cannot accept amendments Nos. 9, 31 and 38. The Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 provided for an emergency period during which a landlord is prohibited, under section 5 of the Act, from serving a notice of termination. Section 4 of the Act provided that the emergency period could only be extended from its initial three months, under very specific circumstances in the interest of public health during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
“The Government is absolutely committed to ensuring that we can protect more properties from flooding as a result of flood alleviation schemes, to improving our communications ahead and during severe weather events and to ensuring that adequate support is provided to householders and businesses that are impacted by floods. As a Government, we acknowledge, as I said at the outset, the upset and the devastation that have been experienced by households across this country as a result of the most recent events, and we will work as a Government to ensure that we will continue to progress those measures. I know the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, will refer to that in his closing.”
“Stage 3 covers the cost of essential structural repairs to a person's primary residence, such as plastering, dry lining, the relaying of floors, electrical rewiring and painting. The income limits for stages 2 and 3 of the scheme are €50,000 for a single person and €90,000 for a couple or single parent and €15,000 per dependent child. Reduced or tapered levels of support apply where household income is above these limits. The scheme can cover replacement and repair costs under stages 2 and 3, in circumstances where the household can demonstrate that it was unable to secure adequate insurance cover.”
“Separately, the emergency response payment, formerly the humanitarian assistance scheme, provides financial support for people whose homes are damaged by flooding and severe weather events and have been unable to meet emergency costs for essential needs, household items and structural repairs. This support from the Department of Social Protection is a three-stage process. Stage 1 of the scheme addresses hardship in the immediate aftermath of an emergency event and provides emergency support payments to cover immediate and essential costs, including the purchase of food, clothing, bedding and essential personal items for immediate use. Stage 1 is not income tested. Stage 2 involves the replacement of white goods, basic furniture items and other essential household items and generally applies after the event.”
“A prerequisite of the scheme is that businesses or community and sporting bodies must have been unable to secure flood insurance through no fault of their own and to evidence their efforts if necessary. The scheme is typically opened after a severe flooding event and is administered on behalf of the Department by the Irish Red Cross. In response to extreme weather conditions in the wake of Storm Chandra in January, the Department opened an enhanced version of the scheme under which the maximum funding amount has been increased to €100,000 from €20,000 and businesses employing up to 50 people are now included.”
“Looking forward, the Office of Emergency Planning in the Department of Defence, as chair of the Government task force on emergency management subgroup, is developing a plan for the next stage of the NFFWS which will enable the implementation of comprehensive nationwide localised warning system. It is important to point out for those who have been affected by flooding that there are a number of measures in place, including the emergency humanitarian flooding scheme, which has been operated by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment since 2018. The scheme provides a contribution of up to €20,000 for small businesses with up to 20 employees as well as community, voluntary and sporting bodies.”
“In line with a strong record on the provision of open data, Met Éireann plans to increase the information it makes publicly available as the flood monitoring leg of the NFFWS develops. Met Éireann communicates expected flooding with the public through existing systems and the inclusion of flood information in public weather warnings and forecasts, including on its website, mobile apps and other media channels. In support of flood forecasting, Met Éireann has also significantly expanded its weather monitoring networks, upgrading weather radars and extensively expanding its weather prediction systems. The flooding associated with Storm Chandra has demonstrated the limitations of a system in which weather warnings and emergency flood forecasting capability exist but are not underpinned by an official public warning function.”
“There are, however, already significant urban areas in the country beside rivers and seas that are vulnerable to flooding for historic reasons, which is why a system for alerts to give early and adequate warnings is so important. The OPW has responsibility for establishing flood risk management plans in Ireland and established and led the three-legged framework for flood monitoring, forecasting and warning, referred to as the national flood forecasting and warning service, NFFWS. As part of the first phase of the establishment of the NFFWS, a flood forecasting centre was established in Met Éireann and has provided flood forecasting information to emergency management stakeholders since early 2024. The flood warning leg was to be progressed during the later stages of the NFFWS.”
“The assessment of individual planning applications remains to be carried out on a case-by-case basis by each planning authority and-or An Coimisiún Pleanála, in accordance with the requirements of the legislation, including the development plan for areas and the 2009 guidelines. The Office of the Planning Regulator has a statutory responsibility for the independent evaluation and assessment of local authority development plans and, where appropriate, may recommend to me, as Minister with responsibility for planning, to use my power to direct changes to a particular plan. My predecessors and I have issued 14 such directions regarding flood risk since 2021.”
“Turning to action taken to manage development in areas that are at risk of flooding, which some Members have already cited, the planning system and flood risk management guidelines for planning authorities were developed in 2009 by the then Department of the Environment in conjunction with the OPW. Under these guidelines, planning authorities should apply a sequential approach in aiming to avoid development in areas at risk of flooding through the zoning and development management process. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is currently working with the OPW to develop further guidance on the consideration of the potential impacts of climate change on flooding and flood risk as part of the planning and development management process and the application of these.”
“The Minister, Deputy Moran, has increased the threshold for this from €750,000 to €2 million. There are also larger schemes that are generally carried out by the OPW, in conjunction with the relevant local authorities, generally in urban areas and designed and prioritised based on catchment flood risk assessment and management. An Coimisiún Pleanála generally deals with such applications due to their scale or need for environmental assessment, which is a requirement of EU law. Action is also being taken to complement this approach, as the Minister responsible for the OPW is proposing to assign the consent function for flood relief schemes progressed under the Arterial Drainage Act to An Coimisiún Pleanála.”
“As the House is no doubt aware, responsibility for floods, on behalf of Government, rests with the OPW. It is leading an ambitious national programme to protect against the risk of flooding and, to date, has invested some €580 million to complete 56 flood relief schemes which are protecting 13,580 properties nationwide, providing an economic benefit in damages avoided estimated to be in the region of €2 million. Most recently, in 2025 over €100 million was spent on delivering flood relief schemes. This is a record annual expenditure and is reflective of the progress that is being made in delivering schemes nationally. Obviously, we want to increase the level of investment in the years ahead. Flood interventions include small scale interventions under the minor works schemes which are delivered by local authorities.”
“I thank all Deputies for the opportunity to speak on what is an important matter. At the outset, I acknowledge the upset that has been experienced by communities across the country, including mine, County Waterford, in recent weeks as a result of Storm Chandra. The Government will not oppose the motion because we recognise the importance of the issue. We want to ensure that we can continue to protect against the risk of flooding through flood defence measures and reducing development in areas that are prone to flooding. We want to improve the response when it comes to communicating in and around severe weather events. We want to continue to provide sufficient relief and support to citizens and businesses which have been impacted by flood events.”
“Deputy Clendennen has engaged with me on this matter. He has made the point fairly and forcefully that we should not have a cliff edge with Shannonbridge. We have provided €1.7 million to Offaly County Council over the last number of years and that will be the case this year. I have asked my officials to engage with Offaly County Council and with Longford County Council. Deputy Carrigy has also been in touch on having that tapering. That will occur.”
“I will relay the Senator's comments to the Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, and ask him to facilitate a meeting. As the Senator will appreciate, and as I said in my initial response, the heritage unit in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has to focus on national monuments, heritage and archaeological elements as opposed to the agri-environmental scheme, which accounted for a significant chunk of the funding secured through the European just transition fund and the European Innovation Partnership. The Senator rightly pointed this out by way of a diagram provided to me before this debate. I will take the points the Senator made back to the Department. In devising a scheme in the context of something that has been shown to have worked well, his feedback will be taken on board.”
“I am sure the Senator will appreciate that the Department's priority is the archeological landscape. We can certainly get the National Monuments Service to examine what level of support can be directed to the Farming Rathcroghan project for the archeological elements.”
“However, that said, the National Monuments Service intends to establish in the coming years a support scheme for landowners across world heritage properties in Ireland, supporting farmers in the custodianship of these historic landscapes and the archeological features on them. This support scheme will be both complementary to existing and future agri-environmental schemes and stand-alone in nature. However, given the complexity of developing the scheme, it will require consultation with other key partners, including the Department of agriculture, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment and critically, local authorities, which are leading the world heritage nomination bid in partnership with the National Monuments Service and the OPW.”
“Slightly more than €63,000 was awarded to Farming Rathcroghan EIP via Roscommon County Council for works including interpretation surveys, heritage signage, management of vegetation and livestock interaction around key monuments, and repairs to and registration of traditional dry stone walls. This pilot scheme has again been announced for 2026. I encourage Farming Rathcroghan to reapply. I am aware the Senator is reflecting the feelings of many farmers in the area who are disappointed with the outcome of the funding application to Horizon Europe. It is important to note the National Monuments Service does not have responsibility for developing or managing agri-environmental schemes.”
“I am aware of how successful this European Innovation Partnership, EIP, project has been in supporting and training up to 90 farmers over the past eight years and in its stewardship of this important landscape, including the protection of more than 260 archeological sites. I also fully understand the disappointment of Farming Rathcroghan at not being successful in its application to Horizon Europe cluster 2 for further funding, and the Senator articulated that well this afternoon. Last year, the National Monuments Service launched a pilot capital scheme to support minor works across potential world heritage sites.”
“The Senator will be aware the Farming Rathcroghan project was initially funded through the European Innovation Partnership from 2019 to 2023 and later funded and expanded through the EU just transition fund from 2024 to the present. The managing authority for the just transition fund is the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, which, along with Pobal, acting on behalf of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, has overall responsibility for the implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation of the programme. The Farming Rathcroghan project received more than €900,000 from the just transition fund, just under the maximum funding threshold, which is €1 million. As a result, the project is not eligible for any additional funding beyond the amount already provided.”
“I thank Senator Scahill for raising this matter today which I am taking on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy O’Sullivan, in my Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I am aware the Senator has discussed the Farming Rathcroghan EIP in this House in the past and I know he has a deep interest in this archaeological and biologically rich landscape. The archaeological landscape of Rathcroghan is part of the royal sites of Ireland tentative world heritage application that the relevant local authorities are currently progressing towards inscription on the UNESCO world heritage list in partnership with the National Monuments Service and the OPW. Part of the lands at Rathcroghan are in State ownership and the National Monuments Service works in partnership with the OPW to conserve and protect these particular sites.”
“He represents that area in the same way I represent working class areas in Waterford that have gone through regeneration and still have to go through regeneration. We are both passionate about regeneration programmes but I also acknowledge that it is the responsibility in my area for Waterford City and County Council to bring forward those schemes that we, as a Department, can fund from Dublin.”
“We now have a single-stage approval process in place with standardised designs where local authorities will have responsibility for putting forward the projects to the Department. This is for any project that is under €200 million. These will go through a single-stage approval process within the Department. This is to try to avoid the situation that has happened heretofore where councils blamed the Department and the Department blamed the councils. Under these new rules, there will be no hiding for councils that are not putting forward projects. They will not be able to say a project is at stage 2 or 3 within the Department. There will be none of that. We want the local authorities, Cork City Council and Cork County Council included, to bring forward schemes to us. The Deputy is right.”
“What I said in my response was that the current programme runs until 2028 and they are the projects that the council have put forward for the regeneration, which encompasses 121 units that have been completed, 165 units that are on site, and 127 units that are in pre-construction phase. We in the Department will always assess any application that comes in from local authorities, be they turnkey housing units, regeneration projects like this or Part 8 plans that the councils put forward. We are open to applications from every local authority in this State to come forward with social and affordable schemes, but it is the local authorities' responsibility to bringing forward those schemes.”
“It is a priority for the Government, as outlined in my response. A number of housing units have been completed, and the remaining units will be completed. We continue to work with Cork City Council, but the onus is on Cork City Council to bring forward those projects. In relation to taking six years to complete a housing scheme, perhaps Deputy Gould can talk to me offline in relation to that. Who is responsible for that? Is it the council? I do not know. Perhaps the Deputy will elaborate in his follow-up.”
“The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport has significant sports capital grant programmes to assist in the development or refurbishment of sporting facilities and the provision of sports facilities, while requests related to youth services funding should be directed towards the Department of children and the Department of justice for youth diversion projects. As the Deputy knows, Cork has received substantial funding under the urban regeneration and development fund, which comes under the Department. In total, it has received €407 million under that programme for the Cork city docklands, Grand Parade quarter, Tivoli docks and Kent Station yard, which is funded 75% by the Department. It is absolutely the case that we want to continue to regenerate areas like Knocknaheeny.”
“I must highlight that while the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is supportive of social inclusion initiatives within the overall regeneration programme, in order to ensure that maximum funding for housing regeneration is directed towards improving physical housing infrastructure, these complementary initiatives should be funded from appropriate funding sources. The council was made aware in 2024 that funding under the SEEP would be reducing in 2025, and that arrangements should be made for alternative funding should it wish to maintain such social inclusion initiatives into the future.”
“Additional funding for Cork city is also being provided to support a social, economic and environmental programme, SEEP, to address the physical regeneration of housing and support wider community infrastructure projects, and the social and economic interventions which seek to address the causes of disadvantage in communities. This is funded on an annual basis, with an overall allocation of €450,000 in 2025. It is a matter for the council to shortlist the most appropriate projects that fit with the objectives of the social housing regeneration project in terms of revitalising the area and the built environment.”
“To date, over €96 million has been allocated to projects that are either completed or on-site under this particular regeneration programme. Up to the end of 2025, 121 social housing units had been completed, and a further 165 units are on-site and progressing, while 127 units are in the pre-construction phase. The current programme runs until 2028, and it is envisaged that projects will be ongoing until this date. The programme is funded project by project as submissions are received and reviewed by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.”
“I thank Deputy Gould for raising this very important matter. I am happy to have the opportunity to discuss the regeneration on the northside of Cork city on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Browne. The regeneration of social housing is a matter, in the first instance, as the Deputy knows, for local authorities. It is their responsibility to identify an opportunity to advance regeneration programmes in line with the circular N11/2007 policy framework for the regeneration of local authority estates in their respective administrative areas. The Cork north-west quarter regeneration master plan and implementation report was published in 2011. The strategy outlined a departure from previous policy, with a proposal to carry out wholesale demolition of the housing stock in Knocknaheeny that had not been the subject of previous refurbishment works.”
“This Bill provides a finely balanced provision between protecting tenants and encouraging existing landlords and also encouraging new private investment into the rental market. I commend it to the House.”
“Section 24 provides a contravention to section 22(2) of the principal Act relating to rent review requirement as improper conduct by a landlord which may be investigated and sanctioned by the RTB. Part 3 provides for amendments to the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 to provide that a dwelling that is or was required to be registered as a tenancy under the Residential Tenancies Act since 4 March 2022 is not eligible for the accommodation recognition payment, ARP. Also, only owners of the dwellings may apply for the ARP. I will deal with the last piece, with your indulgence, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Part 4 provides for technical amendments to maintain the pre-existing planning provisions for short-term letting following the repeal under this Bill of the RPZ legislation.”
“The published register will now be required to include the rent, the tenancy registration number, the tenancy commencement date, the number of bed spaces, the local electoral area in which the dwelling is situated, the floor area where applicable, and the BER, in addition to the number of bedrooms and the dwelling type for individual rented dwellings across the country. Section 19 requires the following particulars in the application to register a tenancy with the RTB: number of bed spaces, floor area and, where applicable, the BER. Sections 20 to 22, inclusive, provide for data sharing between the RTB and the Minister for Social Protection, the Revenue Commissioner, and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.”
“Resetting to market rent is only allowed following a termination by a tenant or by a landlord grounded on breach of tenant obligations or where the dwelling no longer suits the accommodation needs of the tenant household. Technical amendments are made, including an update to 90 days from 28 days for the period of dispute to be referred to the RTB in relation to the validity of a notice of termination where it was served for reasons other than a breach of tenancy obligations by the landlord. Sections 16 to 18, inclusive, update the requirement for the RTB to maintain the residential tenancies register and require the RTB to confirm for a tenant whether their landlord was a smaller landlord on the date of the notice being served.”