Speaking at the launch of the Threshold 2011 Annual Report, Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O'Sullivan, TD, announced the publication of a key report on rent deposit protection.

The Minister also indicated her intention to address the issue of deposit retention as a priority.

"The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce a rent deposit scheme and my firm preference is to use the legislation currently before the Dáil to follow through on this important policy goal.

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"Earlier this week I received a detailed report on the options for a deposit protection scheme compiled by Indecon economic consultants. Over the coming weeks I will weigh up the options and determine how best to offer the greatest protection to tenants in this area at the least cost to the Exchequer. These are complex issues but, to deliver on deposit protection in the context of the current Bill, I intend to address them as quickly as possible."

The Minister also highlighted that one of the most significant aspects of the Bill is the inclusion of dwellings let by approved housing bodies (AHBs) within the remit of the Residential Tenancies Act. This will extend to the large majority of not-for-profit AHB sector the same range of tenant and landlord rights and obligations as pertain in the private rented sector.

(CD/GK)