Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 12:

In page 16, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following:

“Report on Relief for Renters

12.The Minister shall, within six months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before Dáil Éireann a report on the introduction of a refundable tax credit payable to private rental tenants not already in receipt of any State subsidy, equivalent to 8.3 per cent of annual rent payable, at a minimum value of €750 and maximum value of €2,000, accompanied with the introduction of a ban on rent increases in the private rental sector for a period of 3 years.”.

I am taking this on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Pearse Doherty. This amendment calls for the report on the introduction of a refundable tax credit payable to renters equivalent to one month's rent, set at a minimum value of €750 and a maximum value of €2,000, coupled with a ban on rent increases for a period of three years.

Since this Government took office, rents have increased by 27%. This, in any market, is a staggering increase. According to Daft's reports, the average rent has increased by €405 per month under this Government. That is nearly €5,000 per year. Renters are facing crippling housing costs under the Government and its housing crisis. For years, Sinn Féin has called for the introduction of a refundable tax credit to put one month's rent back in renters' pockets, together with a ban on rent increases for a period of three years. For years, the Government rejected this proposal, claiming it would be, in the words of the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, a direct transfer of public money to landlords. The Tánaiste said it would push rents up. Of course, this is what could happen in the absence of a ban on rent increases and that is precisely what the Government has done here without capping rents. The rent tax credit, as introduced, will go straight into the pockets of landlords, providing ample reason for them to increase the rent on their tenants.

The rent tax credit is not refundable and moreover, a fraction of those eligible to claim the rent tax credit have done so. It is also clear that the credit is insufficient to adequately support renters who are under severe financial pressure as a result of the Government's housing crisis. This amendment, therefore, calls for a report on the introduction of a refundable tax credit equivalent to 8.3% of renters' annual rent, in other words, one month's rent, with a minimum credit available of €750 and a maximum credit available of €2,000. Crucially, this report would also analyse this proposal, together with a three-year ban on rent increases.

Even since the budget, what has happened is that landlords are increasing rents hand over fist. I have lone parents who are struggling, often with children who have disabilities that include intellectual disabilities, and who are trying to find hundreds of euro each week to pay the rent increases that have been foisted upon them. The message that is coming from landlords, where there are no-fault evictions, is that they can just increase the rent howsoever they want to increase it. People are being absolutely crippled by these rents as it is, and they have nowhere to turn to. This is why were are putting the amendment to the Bill, and I ask the Minister to accept it.

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