Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is a perception that the rental crisis is just in cities and larger towns. I can categorically say that every town and village is impacted by this crisis. The Government's failure to tackle the escalating disaster is causing social and economic upheaval among our younger generation, leaving people with no chance ever to own their own home or save for a deposit. The latest reports on the rental market in Ireland show that my county, Wexford, had a staggering 14.2% year-on-year increase in rental prices. The report from the previous quarter showed a 15.7% increase. There is a clear upward pattern. These increases are piled up along with the cost-of-living crisis currently being borne by working people and their families. They are facing extortionate heating costs, with gas prices increasing by 29% and electricity prices increasing by 10.9% in August, as well as increases in carbon tax, rip-off insurance and soaring childcare costs, which are the highest in Europe. Grocery bills have increased by more than 20%.

Rents are continuing to rise. Logically, this will result in even more people returning to living in box rooms in their family homes or becoming homeless. The Government has failed to get to grips with this. Ordinary people, both young and old, are suffering the soul-destroying consequences. We look forward to debating this Bill further and working out the detail of how best we can achieve protection for renters and homeowners. Sinn Féin's solution to the rental crisis is a three-year ban on rent increases, followed by linking rents to an appropriate index, such as wages, coupled with a refundable tax credit to put a month's rent back in every private renter's pocket. We would combine this strategy with the delivery of 4,000 affordable cost rental units annually, through a significant increase in capital spending in budget 2023.

We believe these proposals would bring relief as soon as possible to citizens who are in dire need. They are hostage to a private rental market that is spiralling out of control. There are only so many times that Opposition Deputies can stand up in the Dáil to warn of these increases and their disastrous impact on the families who we represent. A change in policy is desperately needed. A true Government that really cares would take immediate action before another generation is let down. I thank People Before Profit for tabling this Bill. My party fully supports the principle of reducing rents and consolidating ways to do so in legislation.

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