Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

I will examine the issue. In recent weeks we put new maximum amounts on rent allowances in an attempt to keep rent prices down. If rents were €600 and we agreed to pay rents up to €800, rents would rise to €800 to match what we would pay. We must be very careful in this market because the rent supplement accounts for 40% of the rental market of the State. When we impose a cap, we must be very careful that it does not result in pulling costs up. I am not sure what effect the changes have had but I will reconsider the matter.

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