Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

693. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government whether he accepts that reliance on the private rental market for long-term housing of vulnerable individuals is unsustainable and ethically flawed. [23347/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department is fully committed to working with all stakeholders to deliver social, affordable and cost rental homes at scale and to continue accelerating housing supply across all tenures to support vulnerable individuals secure appropriate and adequate housing. This is demonstrated by the record level of investment which is being provided for the delivery of homes in 2025, with overall capital funding now available of almost €6.8 billion and a further €1.65 billion in current funding to address housing need.

Households will continue to rent in the private sector if it suits their needs. Under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme and the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), local authorities continue to provide critical housing supports by enabling access to accommodation within the private rented market for eligible households. The Government has set out a commitment in Housing for All to reduce the level of these supports as delivery of social housing increases.

Where households are above the income thresholds for social housing, they are protected, as are all private renters, by rent regulation which limit rent increases and by the improvements made in recent years relating to security of tenure. Households may also qualify for cost rental housing and the Government is working on scaling up the supply of cost rental homes to meet the needs of those who are experiencing affordability challenges in the private rental sector.

Following a recommendation made in a review of the Irish private rental sector published by my Department in July 2024, the Housing Agency was commissioned to undertake a review of the current system of rent controls using Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs). My Department received this report on 28 April 2025. I will be considering the report and will bring proposals to Government in due course as appropriate.