Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has said the latest Daft.ie report exposes the devastating impact of Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael’s Rent Hike Bill as rents surge to record highs and evictions are at the highest level since the famine.

The latest figures show rents are increasing at the fastest rate ever recorded, with rents in south Dublin surging by a staggering 6% for a two bed apartment and 5% for a three bed house.

Teachta Crowe said the lives of families, workers, students and young people have been turned upside down because the Government chose to prioritise the interests of big landlords and vulture funds, while throwing renters to the wolves.

Teachta Crowe said:

“The latest Daft.ie report reveals that rents are increasing at the fastest rate ever recorded, with rents in south Dublin surging by a 6% for a two bed apartment and 5% for a three bed house.

“This means that a young family could be shelling out an average of € 31,260 a year for a two bed apartment or €41,184 for a three bed house. Ordinary families and young people hoping to build a future cannot afford this in their wildest dreams.

“Across the state, rents jumped by 4.4% between December and March, the sharpest increase on record.

“These figures lay bare the devastating consequences of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s Rent Hike Bill – record rents, record evictions, families with nowhere to go, and young people forced to choose between paying crippling rents, moving back in with their families, or emigrating.

“Sinn Féin warned Government that this would happen. We urged them not to do this.

“They did not listen. They were intent on lining the pockets of big landlords, big developers, and vulture funds – and utterly indifferent to the impact for renters, for families, for ordinary people.

“The government must stop punishing renters. They need to cut rents, ban rent increases, ban no-fault evictions, and dramatically ramp up the delivery of social and genuinely affordable homes.

“Renters cannot take any more.”