Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her response. As she stated, it is very much an issue of supply so could she provide details regarding the level of supply that will come on stream in 2015 and the coming years to provide hope and a home for people who badly need one? We know from the most recent report from Daft.iethat only 5,200 properties were available nationwide on 1 February 2015, which is the lowest figure available since May 2007. This is a major issue.

The introduction of new rules by the Central Bank will force people into the private rental market. Lots of constituents come to our clinics raising these issues. They are very worried and traumatised and they need some hope. I agree with Deputy Maloney that we need to look at introducing some element of a rent freeze because what has happened in recent times is very unfair, particularly to tenants who have been there on a long-term basis. In Germany, the law allows the state government to cap rent increases at no more than 15% over three years. Perhaps we could look to Germany or other countries which have a rent cap.

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