Minister must ensure RTB has full resources to vindicate rights of renters
Labour leader and housing spokesperson Ivana Bacik has expressed concern at the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) projecting a deficit of over €2 million this year.
Deputy Bacik said that in the middle of a rental crisis, the RTB should be integral to supporting renters.
Deputy Bacik said:
“It is concerning to learn of funding issues with the RTB. Labour is calling on the Minister to carry out a review of the RTB, ensuring that it has access to all the resources that it needs.
“Ireland remains in the grips of a rental crisis and the RTB must be equipped in a way that it can properly vindicate and protect the rights of renters.
“We are aware of landlords reporting issues registering with the RTB system as they are required to do. The IT system needs to run efficiently to ensure the proper working of the rental market.
“Indeed, it is worrying that there are issues collecting and collating data at the Board, as this data is heavily relied on for legislators and housing projections.
“The RTB plays a key role in the functioning of our rental market and it must be supported to operate efficiently. Minister O’Brien must commit to a review of its resources and provide a guarantee to renters that the work of the Board in terms of providing information and advice is fully functioning.”