Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I was not at the national economic dialogue but I am concerned about the economic situation of housing tenants in Tipperary. I raised this matter with the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy - who is in the Chamber - on a number of occasions and I have written to him three times in respect of it. Tipperary County Council has unilaterally merged nine differential rent schemes. Only in the past two weeks have people received letters notifying them of huge increases of up to 50% that will take effect on 1 July. This is underhanded and it is disrespectful to the tenants and their tenancy rights and agreements. Will the Minister ask Tipperary County Council to have a moratorium on those increases until there is proper meaningful engagement with those tenants? They are good tenants, in the main, paying their way but those kinds of increases are savage. Surely, different standards of houses should have different rates of rent if they have a lower energy ratings, etc. Will the Minister ask Mr. Joe McGrath to postpone this until there is discussion and a lead-in time and people have time to adjust?

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