Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

With respect to the matter in front of us, we know that significant numbers of renters are affected by temporary lay-offs. To try to establish some sense of it ourselves, Sinn Féin launched an online survey for renters over a month ago. About 1,000 renters across the State responded. While it is not a scientifically representative sample and we do not claim that it is, it had a good geographical, age and income mix. That survey told us 60% of renters who replied had lost jobs or income as a result of Covid-19. Some 55% spoke to their landlord about some form of debt relief. Some 40% found their landlords helpful and 40% found their landlords unhelpful. Interestingly, 58% of respondents had never heard of the Covid-19 rent supplement payment and that is one reason why the take-up is so low. The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has not been advertising this support, unlike the other supports. Some 60% of respondents were worried about rent arrears post the Covid-19 restrictions. About 70% thought they would have a minimum of €3,000 of rent arrears. A further 13% felt they would have rent arrears of up to €5,000.

Our view is very simple. The Minister, as a matter of urgency, must extend the ban on rent increases, on notices to quit and evictions. He and his colleagues must do more to advertise rent supplement. He must put in place a rent arrears debt resolution process through the Residential Tenancies Board that will include, among other things, the possibility of partial or full rent write-downs. We will work constructively with him and other colleagues to achieve those ends but the time to act is now and I urge the Minister to do so.

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