Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The recent Residential Tenancies Board report states that new rents have increased annually by 11.6% and that existing rents have risen by 5%. This represents the highest annual increase on record. The latest figures for inflation show that it is 3.6% in Ireland. The consumer price index has risen by 5.1%. Food is up by 7%. Electricity, gas and fuels are all up by 7.2%. When these costs are combined with the extortionate rent increases, one can see why something must be done immediately for renters. Young couples, singles and single parents are at the mercy of the private market, the so-called free market, which is exploiting the oldest market ploy in the book, of supply versus demand.

The truth of the matter is that two in three people are renting because they cannot afford a house, while the Government has missed the social and affordable housing targets three years in succession. We now have generation rent. It is a whole generation of people without security of tenure, which piles on even more anxiety and stress on adults and children alike, adding to further societal breakdowns and families shattering under financial pressures. More than 15,000 households received eviction notices in the first nine months of this year and at least 10,000 will be due to have left their homes by Christmas. Therefore, it is reasonable and responsible to immediately introduce a three-year ban on rent increases, including for new tenancies. It is reasonable to call for an increase in affordable housing to rent or buy. It is reasonable to ask for a full month's rent to be returned to every private renter's pocket.

These measures are practical and workable but there also needs to be an ideological change in the current Government's policies. These policies favour the big developers and vulture funds and are not in line with improving the overall welfare of the State. In my county, Wexford, rents average €1,119, with a year-on-year change of 16.3%. This is unsustainable. Renters need far more support now before it is too late. I appeal to all TDs to please support this motion.

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