Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

I have a question on rent for both the Department and Property Industry Ireland. I understand that, if there is increased FDI into Ireland, particularly the cities and more particularly Dublin, the tendency of staff in those workplaces is to rent, leading to an increased demand for rental property. Unless there is a corresponding increase in supply and if it is left to the market without rent controls, it will lead to increases in rent.

The forecasts for jobs and wages tend to cover a range of potential job losses or a range of wage cuts. We will get reports that there could be between 20,000 and 40,000 job losses in the event of a hard Brexit etc. Anything we have heard so far on rent increases has tended to be very broad brushstroke suggesting that rents will increase. However, there have been no indications as to whether rents will increase by 5%, 10% or 20%. Will any of the witnesses give a more specific indication over and above the idea that they think there will be general upward pressure on rent?