Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday's daft.iereport showed rents at an all-time high. Apparently, a Minister believes there are plenty of places to rent at a fraction of the cost. Apparently, the advice the Government is now offering to renters facing record increases is to hunt for bargains in other parts of the city. This is of little benefit to those in the rental market who are losing tenancies as landlords seek to renovate or sell, because they have to look for places to rent at full market prices. Even those in rent pressure zones are being put under huge pressure by landlords to accept increases above the 4% threshold.

The Government has repeatedly promised that the powers of the Residential Tenancies Board would be strengthened. This is an emergency, certainly for those desperately anxious to keep a roof over their heads. There is no sense of urgency from Government. When will the residential tenancies (amendment) Bill be published?

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