Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I accept and I appreciate the Deputy raising what is a very important issue that I dealt with earlier in the House. Absolutely in terms of restrictions on rent increases, we want to continue with this. The Minister is examining how he can do whatever he can to keep increases to the lowest level possible and to protect from eviction tenants who have been affected by Covid in terms of their incomes or who are facing homelessness. In terms of affordable homes, a range of initiatives has been undertaken to make housing more affordable. The past ten months have been dominated by the Covid crisis, which has restricted some housing construction and has impacted our targets. We are providing unprecedented funding to get more houses built and to support affordable housing with a view to trying to make it affordable for younger people.

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