Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)

I thank the witnesses for attending.

I will go to the people from Threshold first with my set of questions. They highlighted the concern that rents will increase as a result of the latest changes. What level of rent increase do they foresee? Do they see homelessness rising as a result of those changes and will they give some estimation of the impact?

My other question is to the landlord organisations. First, how have landlords responded to the latest changes to the RPZs? Are they informing the witnesses that they will issue notices to quit, for example, between now and 1 March in order to be in a situation whereby where they can charge market rents? Do they see a role for any controls on rents? If being a landlord is made more financially attractive, does it not mean that there will be more money chasing a limited supply? For example, if it is more incentivised to be a landlord, more people will want to invest in property. They will then be competing with home buyers to purchase second and first homes. That will lead to inflation in house prices. Will the witnesses comment on that? Are they aware of many landlords who could potentially turn to Airbnb as a result of this happening?