Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This week's daft.iereport highlights yet again the extreme problems in the private rental sector. It is a shark pool out there. County Laois experienced the second highest increase in rents in the past year. At 16.6% in the past 12 months, the average rent is now €769 per month.

The housing assistance payment - this has been the centrepiece of the Government's social housing policy - limit for a family of four, two adults and two children, is €610 per month and rents are €159 over the limit for HAP. In the case of south Kildare, in particular, Monasterevin, rent increases are at 13.8% and rents are on average €1,131, although the housing assistance payment, HAP, limit is €835 per month. If one is looking to get on HAP if one is in need of housing assistance, one cannot get on it because the limit is €300 below the level of rents. In the case of Laois, rents are €769 per month, which means they are €159 over what one is allowed in housing assistance. That is putting people under huge pressure. It is making people homeless. People who are in need of HAP cannot get it in either Laois or Monasterevin.

Workers on low pay who are not getting housing assistance are now finding themselves paying over half their wages in rent. I am coming across cases like that. Families are severely stressed. It is a situation similar to what is happening to those who are in mortgage distress. Their heads are fried with trying to meet high weekly rents. Over half their wages is going on rent alone. We have a huge problem here.

The Government's sham rent controls are not working for tenants but they are working for landlords. Will the Government ensure that the Department introduces proper, fair and sensible rent controls?

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