Aideen Hayden (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Jillian van Turnhout's request that the issue of Childline and its services being available 24-7 be brought to the attention of the Taoiseach.

I bring to the attention of the House the report of the Private Residential Tenancies Board, PRTB. Its rental index shows an increase of 10% in rents in the Dublin area and there is a recognition that rents have been increasing outside Dublin by a significant proportion. This, therefore, is no longer a Dublin problem, as it has extended all over the country. I expected the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill in the House before Christmas, but we have not yet seen it. Where do we stand on it? I welcome the announcement made by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, on the additional funding for emergency beds and his guarantee that no one will be without a bed between now and Christmas. He has recognised the importance of protecting people in their homes by extending the tenancy protection service to Cork where it is recognised that it is way beyond an issue for Dublin and surrounding counties only. It is extending to other large urban areas. I would like to have a debate in the House on the issue of rent regulation. As long as rents continue to rise, no matter what the Government does, we will see people being pushed out of their homes because they simply cannot afford to remain within them. I ask for a debate to be held as early as possible in the new year.