Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin TD has accused the government of ‘having no plan to tackle the rental crisis’.

His comments come as the latest ECA International report confirms that Dublin is the fifth most expensive city in which to rent in Europe.

Deputy Ó Broin said:

“Today’s ECA International report confirms that Dublin is the fifth most expensive city in which to rent in Europe.

“The report sets out that the average rent of a family home in Dublin is now €3,713 per month. Dublin is now more expensive than Paris, Berlin and Madrid.

“The ECA International report confirms that there has been a 6% increase in the cost of renting in Dublin City.

“The rental crisis is the result of the government’s failure. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael simply do not care about renters, despite the fact that a quarter of Dubliners live in rented accommodation.

“The failure of the pressure zones to stop spiraling rents, excessive tax breaks for vulture funds to invest in high end rental stock and the disorderly exit of 20,000 accidental and semi-professional owned rental properties from the market in recent years are all part of the problem.

“However, the biggest failure of government has been its refusal to invest in large scale affordable cost rental to meet the needs of workers and families in our cities.

“Sinn Féin in government would ban rent increases for three years, put a month’s rent back in every renter’s pocket through a refundable tax credit and invest in a major programme of affordable cost rental delivery providing secure and affordable homes for thousands of workers and families.”