Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)

I second the motion.

Dublin City Council is planning to increase rent for its tenants. What happens in Dublin City Council will invariably be followed by local authorities across the country and in the Leader's constituency as well. Tenants of Dublin City Council are facing increases of up to 10%, 20%, 30% and 50% in their rents. This is at a time when the cost of everything is soaring. The cost of food, heating and electricity is up. Now, rents for council tenants are going to go up. Council tenants are vulnerable and many of them pay high rents in the flats and accommodation they are in. This is clearly not the time. The council has said it will use the increased income to invest in maintenance. I have raised this here many times. No one believes that will happen at all. Not one person believes that the never-ending neglect and problems that council tenants have will see a penny of any rent increase that is imposed on them.

If you are living in a tiny council property and it has damp, mould and a front door that has been hanging off for years, you will not believe that the council is going to do more maintenance. You simply will not believe that. It is understandable why residents would not believe it. If you are paying high rent for a home that is overcrowded and has just been flooded because of the outdated drainage systems, why would you believe that Dublin City Council is actually going to improve its maintenance? There is no evidence to suggest that it will. If you are living in Markiewicz House, Conway Court or any of the other flat complexes around the city and have put up with tiny flats, damp, mould and rats playing with your children, why would you believe the council? Families living in council housing across the city are constantly faced with the reality of overcrowded conditions, poorly insulated homes and insufficient maintenance. Demanding more rent is an insult and it needs to be opposed. I ask that the Minister come to the House so we could debate this issue.