Speaking in response to the publication of the latest Daft.ie quarterly rental report, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin TD has said that the latest data shows that the ‘rental crisis is getting worse and there is no response from Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien’.

Teachta Ó Broin said:

“The latest Daft.ie rental data shows rents rising by 1.2% Statewide in the past year, with increases of almost 3% outside of Dublin. 

“It is alarming to see rental increases of almost 5% in Cork, Galway and Waterford and hikes as large as 7% in counties like Wexford.

“The average Statewide rent now stands at €1,419 per month.

“While rents in Dublin are flat, that is in part due to an increase in available rental properties arising from Covid-19. However, with new Dublin City rents now averaging €2,028 there is no good news for new renters in the capital.

“What the Daft.ie data shows is that the rental crisis is getting worse. Rents are too high and in many places are continuing to rise. All the while there is no response from the Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien.

“Budget 2021 included nothing for renters. No action to stop rent rises. No measures to put money back in renters pockets. And no funding to deliver the volume of affordable cost rental accommodation that our cities urgently need. 

“Sinn Féin’s Alternative Budget provided funding for over 4,000 affordable cost rental homes in 2021, alongside a three year ban on rent increases and a refundable tax credit that would have put a months rent back in every renters pocket.”