Fine Gael TD for Mayo, John O’Mahony, has welcomed the Government’s commitment to introduce a deposit retention scheme to deter the illegal retention of rental deposits by landlords.
“Provision for a deposit protection scheme is part of the Programme for Government,” Deputy O’Mahony said this week. “Legislation is currently under preparation to give effect to the deposit protection scheme. I will ensure that this is prioritised when the Dáil resumes in September. The legislation comes on foot of a recommendation by the Department of the Environment to introduce fixed fines where deposits are illegally retained by landlords. With the Leaving Cert results out this week, the issue of student accommodation is to the fore for students and their parents. The introduction of the deposit protection scheme will provide a more level playing field and help resolve disputes. This should ease the minds of parents and students who spend an average of €3,500 on student rental accommodation over the course of the academic year. This is on top of a large deposit which can amount to up to €1,000.”
