Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 July 2025
579. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the condition of properties owned by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (details supplied); the actions he will take to engage with the local authority to ensure these properties are brought up to standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39084/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966.
Notwithstanding the legal obligation on local authorities, my Department provides funding under a number of stock improvement programmes. Given the significant investment over recent years, local authorities are now in a strong position to commence, and in some cases continue, the transition to a strategic, informed planned maintenance approach to stock management and maintenance informed by the completion of stock condition surveys.
The move to a planned management and maintenance model for local authority stock is supported by the LGMA's work on implementing an asset based ICT system to capture stock condition data. The ambition is to have stock condition surveys carried out on all local authority homes and to complete this work over 4 to 5 years. The ICT asset management system is now deployed in all 31 local authorities.
Furthermore, the minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 and specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, natural light, fire safety, ventilation and the safety of gas, oil and electrical supplies. All landlords, including local authorities, have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with the standards set down in the Regulations.
Mould and dampness may occur in dwellings, rented or otherwise, and my Department has produced a video and leaflet with the aim of educating the general public on the importance of proper ventilation in the home. They are available here:
• www.gov.ie/homeventilation
• www.gov.ie/aeráiltí
