Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

A Red C survey conducted on behalf of the Department in 2014 found that only 17% of respondents were happy renting. The Minister has painted a picture of people choosing to rent. People may choose to rent for a period of their lives but the problem is now that period is extending. The surest way to get into debt is to be in the private rental sector because it eats up most of people's income. He must be aware of this, yet he peddles the myth that people do not want to get into debt by taking out a mortgage.

According to census figures, there are 119,000 fewer people in their 20s and 30s in the State now than five years ago. Thank God they all emigrated. Can Members imagine the crisis we would have in the private rental sector if they had chosen to stay? The young people who are here are in overcrowded-----

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