Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

New dwellings are exempt under this programme, as are completely refurbished existing dwellings, which brings them within the scope and scale of what the Minister is talking about. This is targeted and focused. The Deputy's Bill seems to be a national clampdown. Landlords, in the vast majority of cases, are owners of private property and, clearly, there is an issue in respect of determining what rent increase might apply. The Minister is proposing - under an assessed and agreed system - where pressure exists for rent inflation over a period, to set a cap on the rent increase that can be levied. Within that, the rent pressure zone would apply for a three-year term. There may be additions or areas may drop out, but this is based on balancing the opportunities for tenants to have predictability and certainty and to have much longer tenancies available to them, with incentives for landlords to continue to supply accommodation that can be rented.

There has been a significant increase in the number of tenancies over the years. People are happy to enter into tenancies that are compatible with their needs and this can only be effective where the issue with the supply of houses is dealt with. That is the other focus of the programme being introduced by the Minister. Clearly, that is a fundamental issue that has been lacking since the collapse of the construction sector a number of years ago. This is part of the overall housing strategy approved by Government, and, hopefully, accepted by Members in the context of giving predictability and opportunity, while at the same time offering a balance between the availability of existing tenancies. New houses and completely refurbished existing dwellings are exempt. This is a time limited, focused strategy to allow the opportunity for supply to come on stream.

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