Sinn Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan has criticised the government for failing to understand and take decisive action to help struggling renters.
Teachta Quinlivan said “The Daft.ie Quarter 4 rental price report published today shows that rents are continuing to rise. In the twelve months since rent pressure zones were introduced rents have increased by 10%.
“This is the seventh rental report indicating rent rises published this year. All four Daft.ie Quarterly reports show rent increases above the 4% rent pressure zone cap. All three ESRI/RTB reports also show increases above the 4% cap.
“Limerick is still not designated a Rent Pressure Zone, rents have risen by 14.8% in one year. That is outrageous.
“Rent is now €1,004 per month in Limerick City – a massive amount. Low and middle income families and single people simply do not have this money. They cannot afford these constant rent increases.
“We need real rent certainty measures to be urgently introduced to provide some relief to renters.
“I speak to people every day who tell me they can’t afford to rent, earn too little to get a mortgage and in many cases are living at home in multigenerational households.
“Unfortunately the Taoiseach could not provide any comfort to tenants today when challenged by our Housing Spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD at Leaders Questions.
“He was either unable to grasp what we were asking or is so out of touch he believes that the mediocre measures introduced are actually sufficient despite all evidence pointing to the contrary.
“The government’s solution is to avoid rolling out a comprehensive affordable rental scheme and to continue to convince themselves that the private market will provide sustainable tenancies.” He concluded.
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