June 26, 2020
Government must introduce rent arrears debt scheme – Eoin Ó Broin TD

Eoin Ó BroinSinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin TD has said that the next government must introduce a rent arrears debt scheme.

The call comes as figures from a renters survey hosted by Sinn Féin show that 60% of those who took part had lost income because of Covid-19, with a similar number concerned about mounting rent arrears.

Teachta Ó Broin said:“Sinn Féin launched an online survey for renters earlier this month to hear directly from private rental tenants about how Covid-19  was affecting them.

“Over 1,000 people took part in the survey, which had a good range in terms of location, age and income bracket.

“The main findings were that 60% had lost income because of Covid-19.

“Only a third of tenants had approached their landlord to ask for some form of rent relief. 39% of these described their landlord’s response was helpful with an equal number saying they were unhelpful.

“Since the introduction of the special Covid-19 rent supplement payment in March, the number of claims has increased by almost 40%, with latest figures showing that 7,030 claims are in payment with 1,350 applications pending.

“It is alarming that only 42% of those who participated in the survey said they were aware of the Covid-19 rent supplement. Of these, half applied and just over half of these were successful.

“Of the 60% of renters worried about post Covid-19 rent arrears debt, 68% expected to have arrears of up to €3000, while a further 13% expected the debt to be as much as €5000.

“The results of this survey show that there is an urgent need for Government to set out a plan for dealing with the rent arrears debt burden.

“Tenants should not be left to carry this this burden alone. A rent arrears debt scheme must be established as matter of urgency.”

Sinn Féin Renters Survey

Follow us online

Latest Tweets

Government can and must act to ease cost-of-childcare burden on parents – @Kathleensf1

“Sinn Féin is calling for the government to give families a break by cutting the cost of childcare by two thirds from 2022 levels.”

https://vote.sinnfein.ie/government-can-and-must-act-to-ease-cost-of-childcare-burden-on-parents-kathleen-funchion-td/

The negotiations between London and Brussels are finished, and from today the deal is being implemented.

It is now time to move forward.

Later this month a delegation of U.S business leaders will visit.

We must work together in an Executive to seize the new economic…

Garda roster dispute: While it isn't the Minister's job to negotiate the dispute, it IS her job to ensure that this dispute is negotiated.

It can be resolved, but unfortunately the Minister is just standing back. She needs to get in there and assist – @Martin_Kenny on #TWIP

📺 Sinn Féin spokesperson on Transport and Communications @Martin_Kenny will be live on @rtetwip today, from 12noon.

Watch here: https://www.rte.ie/player/onnow

#TWIP

Load More