Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Tá áthas orm an deis a fháil chun labhairt ar an rún fíorthábhachtach seo anocht agus ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Teachta Ó Broin a chur an rún seo os ár gcomhair.

The defining issue for an entire generation is housing and increasing rents. It is a more defining and real issue than all the talk spouted about climate policy because it affects so many people. We are all aware the current rates of rent are unsustainable for most working families, including those who rely on HAP and other payments. A recent analysis of trends in the residential sales market showed the biggest year-on-year increase was in my county of Offaly. I did not need to be told that by the survey because I knew it from the volume of calls I receive into my offices all the time. We also have a situation in County Laois where the year-on-year increase is almost 10%, I believe. We need to tackle the issue.

Many people are trapped in the rental sector because of the lack of action on our forestry crisis. Young couples cannot build homes because of the crisis and the cost of timber and that forces them to remain in the rental sector. We also have a situation where vulture funds are not regulated and can do as they please with people in terms of repossession of homes. That is forcing droves of people into the rental market.

The Government needs to be proactive, more compassionate and to take action on regulation of vulture funds and sorting out the mess in our forestry sector. I am aware that in two towns in my constituency, Tullamore and Edenderry, renters are paying well over €1,000 per month. That is not sustainable or right. It was an issue before the pandemic, is still an issue and is becoming a crisis. I ask the Government to take urgent action because I see the suffering and hardship of my constituents in Laois-Offaly.

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