Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, United Left) | Oireachtas source

I support the amendment because the 18-month review is too long and it does not allow for an intervention from the State in a developing crisis of supply of rented accommodation now or over the next two to three years. As the Minister said, it is hoped this Government will be able to turn the situation around. I do not believe it is doing it fast enough and where there is a will, there is a way. We have a crisis, the Government's programme is not working and nor is its strategy because there will still be thousands of people depending on private rented accommodation who have no access to social housing. If the Minister of State believes that time is needed in order to allow for a review or for market prices to rise or fall, there should be a mechanism in the legislation to allow the State to intervene at any time to deal with a developing crisis, and to intervene before 18 months to deal with the price of rented accommodation.

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