Maria McCormack (Sinn Fein)

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 3, between lines 13 and 14, to insert the following: "Amendment of section 19 of Principal Act

2. Section 19(4)(b) of the Principal Act is amended, in the definition of "relevant percentage"—

(a) in paragraph (a), by the substitution of "0 per cent" for "2 per cent", and

(b) by the deletion of paragraph (b).".

The amendments seek to defer any rent increase for the next three years. A total of 80% of renters are not in long-term rental so they will not benefit from the Bill. Renters need stability and security and the amendments seek to provide this. At present rents are far too high for existing and new renters. The figures in the Residential Tenancies Board report for quarter 4 of last year showed that State-wide new rents increased by 5.5%. Last year, average rents in Laois rose by 7%. More recently, daft.ie published its report for quarter 1 of this year, showing average new rents throughout the State were €2,223 per calendar month. Sinn Féin wants to see rents capped for three years to give renters a chance and a break from rising rents. At the same time, there need to be massively ramped-up delivery of social and affordable housing in particular.

The other amendment is straightforward and relates to amendment No. 1, which seeks to introduce a ban on rent increases until 2028. Renters deserve that chance. I ask that people support the amendments. We support the residency board move but without a rent freeze more people will be forced into homelessness and more young people will leave our country.