Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

Threshold has stated that the poor were affected most by rent increases, particularly those dependent on social welfare payments. Those people will be squeezed out of the private rental market, but there is now a smaller social housing stock, so this will create overcrowding and homelessness. Will the Minister of State ask the PRTB to look again at the system of rent caps? There is an upward trend for rent, while the price of housing has dropped substantially, sometimes by up to 30%.

What steps can be taken to ensure that those who are availing of rent allowances do not have to top up in the black economy by paying cash to landlords? These people are under pressure because there is no other accommodation available to them. What steps will the Minister of State take to ensure that tenants are aware of their full rights for rent reviews under the 2004 Act?

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