786 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way a market value is calculated in areas where there is insufficient market demand to accurately determine the market value rent; his plans to introduce a minimum market value in such areas and the level of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1342/11]

In areas where there may be insufficient demand accurately to determine the market value rent for a leasing proposal, housing authorities and approved housing bodies determine a market value for that area using the market rent value of the area of nearest equivalence. I have no plans at present to introduce a minimum market value rent in any area.