Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Today's report from the Residential Tenancies Board, RTB, paints a very bleak picture for renters all across the country. In my constituency of Wicklow, the average monthly rent is a staggering €1,596, which is a 13% increase on last year. Taking a quick look at MyHome.ie to see what is available, there is a one-bedroom property in Wicklow town for €1,800, another one-bedroom residence in Newtownmountkennedy for €1,575 and a two-bedroom property in Kilcoole for €2,500. These are very ordinary premises with incredible prices. I do not know how anyone could afford to pay those levels of rents. It is beyond sustainable. What is the Government's plan for counties like Wicklow that have, in essence, become no-go areas for renters?

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