Sinn Féin Senator Fintan Warfield has urged the government to give renters a break and back his party’s proposals to address the crisis in the rental market.
A Sinn Féin motion will be debated in the Seanad on Wednesday which calls for a rescue package to give renters a much-needed break.
Speaking today, Senator Warfield said:
“This housing crisis has been allowed to spiral out of control for far too long.
“Across the State, thousands of young people, workers, and families are stuck paying sky-high rents.
“Fine Gael have been in Government for 12 years, propped up by Fianna Fáil for the last four, and this crisis has only gotten worse.
“Sinn Féin is demanding this change.
‘Our motion will do three key things to stand up for renters.
“Firstly, it will ban rent increases for three years and reintroduce the temporary ban on no fault evictions. This will provide much needed security for workers and families under financial pressure.
“Secondly, it will introduce measures that prevent investment funds from pushing up house prices and snapping up houses from under the noses of families, workers and housing authorities.
“Thirdly, it will dramatically increase targets and accelerate the delivery of social and affordable cost rental homes and social housing as this is the only real solution to the crisis in the private rental sector.
“Only with a change of housing plan, with a real focus on affordable and secure housing, can we start to undo the damage of decades of bad Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael housing policy.
“But these are sensible and achievable measures that the Government can take and introduce now that can help young people, workers, and families.
“It’s time to give renters the break they urgently need.
“I am asking all Senators from all parties to back Sinn Féin’s motion and give renters the support they need when this motion is debated and voted on this week.”
