Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Under the programme for Government, the Government introduced rent pressure zones as a means of attempting to curb, albeit in a limited way, the spiralling cost of rent. I do not know whether the Taoiseach has read the report published by Daft.ietwo days ago that identified County Louth as having seen the largest increase in rents in the State at more than 17%.

On top of the fact that almost 5,000 people are languishing on the housing list, many for longer than nine years, there is a chronic shortage of private rental accommodation. There are just 33 properties available for private rental at the moment. The bulk of those are unaffordable for most and the landlords of the remainder will not accept the housing assistance payment. In light of these facts, will the Taoiseach give a commitment to include Drogheda in the rent pressure zones?

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