Séamus McGrath (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I raise the rent a room relief scheme. It is a good scheme, but I wish to discuss its income threshold of €14,000 in particular. We are in an acute accommodation crisis and this scheme could play a greater role in better utilising existing properties and empty rooms. Single person accommodation is extremely difficult to secure and student accommodation is also difficult to secure. The exemption limit of €14,000 was put in place in 2017. Since then, rents have doubled. The average rent then was €1,000. It is now €2,000, so it makes logical sense to move this income limit in the budget. I ask the Minister, in the upcoming budget, to look at raising the income limit in line with inflation in the rental sector so that we can see a better utilisation of the scheme.

See this speech in context