Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has said that it is clear that the Government have neither the ability nor the inclination to do anything to halt runaway rents both in Dublin and across the state.

Teachta Crowe’s comments come as the latest Daft.ie report shows that rents have risen once again and the average rent in south county Dublin now stands at €2,280 which represents a rise of 2.5%.

Teachta Crowe said:

“The DAFT.ie rental report for the third quarter of 2021 shows that across the state the average asking rent is up almost 7%.

“Rents in south Dublin are up 2.5% to an average of €2,280. Once again, this represents the most expensive rents in the state and shows no sign of slowing down.

“One of the most damning elements of the Daft report is the sheer lack of available rental properties. The report says that there the rental stock in Dublin is down 51% on this time last year. There simply isn’t anywhere to live even if people can afford the rent.

“When I checked Daft myself this morning, there were 25 residential properties available to rent. 25 across an area as big and a population as large as Tallaght. How can anyone look at this and say that it is a normal rental market that does not demand immediate and radical intervention?

“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael haven’t got a clue. Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien’s master plan is to limit rent increases to 2% instead of 4%. He and his friends are too busy trying to court more cuckoo funds to come into Ireland and hoover up what few houses and apartments there are.

“Sinn Féin would build 4,000 affordable rental and purchase homes annually in Government. We know what is needed to fix the rental crisis in Ireland. The Government are either incapable of fixing the problems or they don’t wat to. After nine years of continuous rent increases every quarter, I think they’re happy with the was things are.”