Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As the Tánaiste knows, yesterday's Daft.ie report showed a shocking rise in rental prices throughout the country. Nationally, rents went up by 10% in 20 counties, with 20 counties seeing double-digit increases. My county, Donegal, has seen the highest rise nationally, with rents increasing by an astonishing 24.3%. Something has to be done. This is not acceptable and is certainly not sustainable. Week after week, I have people in my constituency office who are unable to afford to buy or to rent. Where are they supposed to go? There are no long-term rentals as short-term rentals, such as Airbnb, are taking over the rental market. This needs to be addressed immediately. Many families in Donegal are already facing a devastating mica crisis and are now being forced to face a rental crisis. Have they not been through enough at this stage? The rental crisis is not just a Dublin problem, but one throughout the country. What will happen about it?

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