Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is another one of the Minister’s U-turns. His Government opposed any suggestion of a renter’s tax credit because, it argued, it would go into the pockets of landlords and rents would increase. Now we have seen the introduction of the renter’s tax credit at €500. Under this section, it will increase to €750 and be extended to parents who are paying for their children’s rent, room or digs accommodation. The problem is the original point the Government made was valid because unless rent increases are capped or frozen, rents will increase. Annual rents have continued to increase since the Minister took office. I think they have increased by about €5,000. Will the Minister explain his motivation and that of his partners in government for the U-turn on this tax credit? The Taoiseach has resisted the idea, saying it would be a direct transfer of taxpayers' money into the pocket of landlords. Does the Minister not accept that, without the restriction on further rent increases, this risk remains? Will he tell the committee the number of eligible renters the Department believes could claim the credit? How many have so far claimed it? Has the Minister considered measures to increase the uptake?