merrion street

Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O’Sullivan, TD, today stated that bringing forward a tenant deposit protection scheme would be a priority for 2014.

Speaking at the launch of Threshold’s annual report the Minister said, “I am currently bringing residential tenancies legislation through the Oireachtas and in the coming weeks I will introduce amendments in the Seanad to provide a framework for a deposit protection scheme for tenants.”

“The issue of deposit protection is a persistent source of complaint for some tenants. The deposit protection scheme will provide a fair, transparent solution to this issue, a solution that will be of benefit to both landlords and tenants.”

“I will be working on the rollout of the scheme as soon as the legislation passes the Oireachtas and this issue will be a priority for 2014.”

Commenting on the Threshold’s recommendations regarding standards in rented accommodation the Minister stated, “There is a need to enhance private rented inspections, and the communication of that information to tenants. However, it is important to recognise that there is very good practice conducted in some local authorities, for example Dublin City Council has been very active in inspecting new standards that bring an end to bedsit accommodation.

“In the short term I want to see that best practice shared among local authorities and I will engage with Threshold in relation to additional measures such as a certification system.”