Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Out-of-control rents have been an issue for years. There does not seem to be an end in sight to this crisis. Since 2011, the cost of rent in Dublin has doubled. The average rent is now just under €2,000 according to the latest RTB report. This Government and previous governments have failed people when it comes to affordable rents. Rent pressure zones have made little or no difference, with rents shooting up regardless. Last night I looked on daft.iefor properties available to rent in the Dublin Bay North constituency. There was no two-bedroom property available for less than €2,000. Three- and four-bedroom properties had asking prices of more than €3,000. That is utter madness. I ask the Minister how is the average worker expected to put a roof over his or her head with these prices?

We have put a number of solutions to the Minister on various occasions. My colleague, Deputy Ó Broin, has presented more to him tonight. Our asks are simple. They are in the interests of those who are struggling and those to whom he could provide much relief. The Minister needs to introduce a ban on rent increases for existing and new tenancies for three years. He also needs to put in place a refundable tax credit up to the value of a month's rent in every renter's pocket. It is time the Minister tried something different. His policies are not making a dent in the current crisis. What he is doing is clearly not working. People are suffering because of him and his Government.

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