Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Such is the extent of the housing crisis, it is almost as if we are back in the days when the Land League was campaigning for the three Fs. I think a similar campaign is needed today. We have done a great deal of talking in the previous Dáil and in this one. I am a member of the Committee on Housing and Homelessness, which has heard a wide variety of presentations on many aspects of the housing crisis. While it is obvious that there is no quick-fix solution, action will have to be taken. I suggest that a series of actions, backed by the resources needed to make a difference, by implementation plans and by timeframes, will be required.

Rent is obviously central to the crisis. It is appalling that rents are increasing for no apparent reason other than the ability of landlords to provide for increases. I know of monthly rent increases of €100, €200, €300 or more that have been applied to accommodation that has not been improved or amended. I do not suggest that landlords should be deprived of the ability to make a profit, but we cannot have a system in which rents may be increased at will at any time. I know efforts were made in the previous Dáil to provide for rent certainty. A measure was introduced in November 2015 to guarantee rents for two years, but the period leading into its introduction was too long. Rents continued to increase during that lead-in period because landlords were able to do what they wanted while the proposal was being debated.

We know that housing policy has to be about affordability, equality and ease of access. The 2020 social housing strategy contains a commitment to a pilot cost-rental model, as recommended by various groups. Large-scale intervention is needed, particularly in Dublin and the major cities. We need rent certainty. It is essential for the housing market. It would be of benefit to landlords and tenants. It would mean that rent increases and decreases could be foreseen and could help to ensure they are reasonable. I think the Bill before the House, which proposes to link rents to the consumer price index, sounds reasonable and is welcome. It would mean the results of rent reviews would be in line with the calculations of the Central Statistics Office. I accept the point that the natural progression would have involved the presentation of the report of the Committee on Housing and Homelessness, followed by the introduction of the various Bills that are required.

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