Notices to quit and rental shortages
Joan Collins raised the impact of notices to quit and the severe lack of emergency and private rental options, citing the Simon Communities report. The Taoiseach said rental pressure was real and that planned legislation and amendments were aimed at improving supply.
Last week, during Leaders' Questions to the Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath, I raised the issue of the continuation of notices to quit. The difference now is that the family support unit of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive states that it is at capacity, there are no available hub spaces and hotels and bed and breakfasts have little availability. I gave the Minister the example of a couple being charged €460 for one room. At the weekend the Simon Communities came out with its Locked out of the Market report, which states that there is not a single property to rent for a family with one child identified anywhere in the country under the standard HAP rate and that just 12 were available within the discretionary rate. We need to move immediately to a reinstatement of the eviction ban and to a rent freeze.
Comment on this
There are huge pressures on the rental sector. That is why the Minister's amendments tomorrow is not the full story but it is part of the agenda to try to create greater opportunities for supply.
Comment on this
Simon states that there will be record numbers in the next two months, while Members will be away.