Rent increases in Louth
Deputy Munster raised sharp rent rises in County Louth and the shortage of private rentals, saying rent pressure zones had not solved the problem. The Taoiseach said the report concerned new lettings, that existing tenants were not affected, and that the Minister would keep the matter under review.
Under the programme for Government, the Government introduced rent pressure zones as a means of attempting to curb, albeit in a limited way, the spiralling cost of rent. I do not know whether the Taoiseach has read the report published by Daft.ie two days ago that identified County Louth as having seen the largest increase in rents in the State at more than 17%.
On top of the fact that almost 5,000 people are languishing on the housing list, many for longer than nine years, there is a chronic shortage of private rental accommodation. There are just 33 properties available for private rental at the moment. The bulk of those are unaffordable for most and the landlords of the remainder will not accept the housing assistance payment. In light of these facts, will the Taoiseach give a commitment to include Drogheda in the rent pressure zones?
Comment on this
The report deals with new lettings and existing tenants are not affected. Obviously, the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government will keep this matter under continuous monitoring. As the Deputy is aware, he expanded the rent pressure zones substantially in the recent past. No doubt he will take into account the impact of new lettings in places like Drogheda on existing tenants and keep that under review. I thank the Deputy for raising the matter.