Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has said that a Government ban on rent increases in the private rental sector is the only realistic short term option as rents continue to spiral upwards.

Teachta Crowe said:

“Today’s Daft.ie report shows rents continuing to spiral upwards. New rents are up 4.4% in south county Dublin over the last 12 months.

“An average new rental in Dublin South West is now costing a staggering €2,602 a month. That is €31,224 a year. This is totally unaffordable for people on ordinary incomes.

“Renters desperately need a break. It is time for Government to take up Sinn Féin’s proposal to ban rent increases for three years and to put a full month’s rent back into every private renter’s pocket through a refundable tax credit.

“Government must also increase and accelerate the delivery of affordable rental and purchase homes. People suffering under the housing crisis can’t keep waiting for this out of touch government to act. The longer Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil stay in office, the worse things are becoming.

“We also need at least 8,000 genuinely affordable homes a year across the state to meet current need as outlined in Sinn Féin’s Alternative Housing Budget for 2024.”