Call For Govt To Address Rising Rents

Fianna Fáil has hit out at the Government for failing to introduce new measures to address the rising rents in Ireland.

Spokesperson on Environment and Local Government Barry Cowen TD said the explosion in the cost of renting is a result of the inability of the Government to take any policy action to address the growing housing emergency.

Deputy Cowen said: "With latest figures showing a 9% increase in rents throughout the country and a massive 11% increase in Dublin since January, people in rented accommodation are struggling to meet persistently rising rents. Rents in Dublin could rise by as much as 20% next year due to Minister Alan Kelly’s failure to introduce Rent Certainty measures,” said Deputy Cowen.


"The homeless crisis has been unnecessarily exacerbated by the disastrous decision not to allow an increase in rent supplement thresholds. Fianna Fáil has been pushing for an increase in rent supplements to help keep families in their homes, but unfortunately the Government has decided to leave renters to fend for themselves.

"Through this budget the Government is perpetuating the mindless situation where families are being forced into emergency hotel accommodation, rather than allowing them a marginal rise in their rent supplement. This is nonsensical and sums up the Governments haphazard response to the housing emergency."

(CD/MH)