Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The spectre of unmet housing needs faces us both here in the Chamber and in our constituencies. Until meaningful intervention is taken on affordable and social housing, 40% of people have to rent and that is if they can actually get a house or an apartment to rent. Rents are increasing all the time, particularly in Kildare which is a commuter county. Rent pressure zones, RPZs, were introduced to try to control rents. They were welcome as an effort to contain the problem. They were spread throughout electoral districts. However, in Kildare, Monasterevin has been moved from one area to another. I submitted several parliamentary questions about this, but the Department refuses to allow Monasterevin to be included in an RPZ. Rents are increasing in the town all the time. Athy is in a separate electoral area. There has been a refusal to add Athy to the RPZs. I appeal to the Tánaiste to include Monasterevin and Athy in the RPZs.

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