Rental strategy and rent control
Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked about forthcoming rental measures and warned against policies that would drive rents up. The Taoiseach said a comprehensive rental strategy would come before Christmas.
A housing Bill is being introduced in the Seanad this week which will bring in some of the measures in the housing action plan, Rebuilding Ireland, but the pillar that deals with the rental sector has not been announced yet, although the Minister has made some public statements suggesting that he might introduce something like a rent supplement for middle income earners. In my view, that would raise rents further and put money into the pockets of landlords rather than address the issue of rent control. Is another piece of legislation planned to deal with the issue or will it come in the form of an amendment to the legislation that is going before the Seanad? Perhaps the Taoiseach would confirm if it is the intention to do what the Minister, Deputy Coveney, appears to be suggesting?
Comment on this
I have answered a question on this issue previously. The Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coveney, intends to bring forward a comprehensive rental strategy to the House in the coming weeks. I can inform Deputy O'Sullivan that it will be before Christmas.
Comment on this
Could the Taoiseach suggest what might be in it?