Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Government's record in office is that a housing crisis has morphed into a housing disaster.

As a matter of fact, and for the record, since the Government took office, annual rents have increased by €3,600 in Dublin and €2,800 across the State. That is the Government's record. The facts speak for themselves.

I am raising the issue of renters, specifically those who rent, those who are under pressure and those who were looking for the relief that we have been seeking for years, with the Taoiseach as he spreads the largesse. I have put this case to the Taoiseach for years. The Government showed up yesterday with something that is inadequate and flawed, and I want the Taoiseach to correct it. There are three design errors. First, €500 is not enough - not when people are facing the type of rents they are paying. Second, the tax credit is not refundable. This means that means students and low-income workers are excluded. They do not get even the €500. Third, and crucially-----

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