There is more bad news today for renters as the Residential Tenancies Board, RTB, calculator reflects that rent inflation now stands at 4.3%. This is at a time when rents are extortionate and at a time when many younger people will now weigh up their options and decide whether to stay or to go once the Covid restrictions lift. It is a disgrace the Government did not show up for renters. There was nothing in the budget for them. We told the Government when it linked rents to inflation that it was too little too late. We asked the Government, and I ask again, for a ban on rent increases for the three years and to put a month's rent back in renters' pockets by way of a tax credit. That is what is needed so people can have some chance to live a decent life here.

The Deputy's view on a tax credit could simply fuel inflation even further. That is just the reality. Supply is the key issue for getting rents down. Constitutionally, we cannot ban rent increases for three years.

That is disputed.

We simply cannot.

The Government does not want to.

That is the advice we have received. I note that in Northern Ireland the increases are in double digits. The Deputy's party is in charge of housing in Northern Ireland and it has not waved any magic wand to get rents down or get the housing issue resolved.

Rents there are nothing like they are here.

Supply is the key issue. Very significant supports are being made available in the form of rental supports for low-income renters through the rental accommodation scheme, RAS, and the housing assistance payment, HAP.

The Government has no answers.

We are very conscious it is very challenging and difficult for people out there. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, will be introducing a new Bill in early November to address the inflation concerns around rent and also security of tenure for tenants and tenancies of indefinite duration.