Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

When the Governor of the Central Bank attended a recent meeting of the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service, he said that rents in the private housing sector have increased by 11% over the past year. The Tánaiste is aware that many people are being forced into renting because they cannot afford to buy a house. They might be able to afford to spend €1,600 or €1,700 a month on a mortgage, but they cannot afford to buy a house as a result of the increases in mortgage rates. Is the Tánaiste concerned about the current high rent levels? Does he welcome the benefits which are accruing to landlords and investors as a result of rent increases? Those increases are affecting young people who have just started their first job. What is the Tánaiste's approach to this issue? Does he have any measures in mind that would help to make rent more affordable? Local authorities now have to pay higher rents through the community welfare officers' rent subsidy scheme, for example. Does the Tánaiste welcome the higher rents which are being paid to his friends in the construction industry? Would he like rents to be lower and more affordable so ordinary families can be housed?

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