Galway West TDs are being asked to "do the right thing" when Sinn Féin's Ban On Rent Increases Bill comes before the Dáil today, Thursday September 17.
The call has been made by Sinn Féin Galway West TD Mairéad Farrell. Her call follows a report by the ESRI which highlighted the impact of high rents on increased commutes for working people. It noted that "city workers often face a choice between paying high housing costs to live close to work, or making long commutes from areas with lower costs of accommodation".
Furthermore, rents continue to rise, albeit at a slower rate than in previous years. The latest Daft.ie rent report for the third quarter of this year showed that average new rents across the state were €1,412, while in Dublin average new rents were €2,030. This represents an annual increase of one per cent and 0.2 per cent on Q3 2019.
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Dep Farrell said the SF Bill would allow rents to fall and ban any future rent increases for three years. She added that it would be a way to "make a real difference for renters who are pushed to the pin of their collar with rising rents".
Last December, the Dáil passed Sinn Féin’s Rent Freeze Bill, with support from Fianna Fáil and the Green Party. Dep Farrell said, “If Fianna Fáil and the Green Party are serious about protecting renters, they will support our Bill."
