Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I accept the point that both Senators Reilly and Hayden make on the difficulty people have in accessing affordable rent in the private sector, and particularly those in receipt of rent supplement. As Senator Hayden mentioned, we are examining what controls can be applied to rent. There is a limited amount of control now and a landlord with an agreement with a tenant cannot increase rent by more than the market rate. It is a very limited form of rent control. As I have stated, we need to figure out what can be done, and the PRTB is doing work in that regard, along with the Housing Agency. We are actively examining the matter.