Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Department's contribution. Rather than talking about the flight of investors, I would like to discuss the plight of tenants, which is uppermost in my mind. Investors are running all the way to the bank with increased rents. For instance, a single-bedroom apartment in Drogheda was available for €600 a month before Christmas but it was let for more than €1,100 in January. The asking price for a four-bedroom terraced house was €1,500 in County Louth a month ago, according to the Housing Agency. Fewer properties are available on www.daft.iebut prices have increased significantly. It is shameful that we have allowed all the empty homes to remain empty to this day. It is a scandal that must be tackled. Taxation on homes that are habitable and that have been vacant for more than a year should be increased. While the carrot is there, we need to use tax incentives for developers and landlords. At the end of the day, the unfortunate family that cannot get a decent home is my only concern.