Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín has called on the government to refocus its priorities around support for renters after a new Daft.ie report demonstrated rents have risen nationally by 5.7% showing the national rent index is now €1,956.
The Meath West TD said:
“This report demonstrates the growing pressure renters across the country are under. Coupled with the rise of rents themselves, the availability of rental properties is down a quarter from the previous year.
On average, rents for sitting tenants have increased 3.1% each year over the last decade, compared to 8.5% for market tenants during the same period.
Recent comments from the Taoiseach about ending rent pressure zones and support for developers through tax breaks is in contrast to the obvious need to bring rents down and make the housing market more sustainable.
Ministers must recognise that rent of over now €2,000 in Wicklow as just one example, is not a sustainable rent when coupled with a cost of living crisis and the increase in every day bills.
A refocus of support for renters and a review of the rent pressure zones with a view of making them more targeted whilst balancing investment in the sector is badly needed and I am calling on the government to ensure the support for renters is part of their long term plan for housing.”
