Many people are at risk of homelessness. People expect their Government to have their back. That is why they are so frustrated, especially renters, when it seems that every intervention from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael actually makes their situation worse. In my constituency of Cavan-Monaghan, both counties were among the six in the State which saw double-digit rent inflation last year. We saw rents increase by 10.6% in Cavan and by a staggering 12.4% in Monaghan. What was the Government's response to these rent increases? It was new rent regulations, which will see rents and evictions increase. The RTB has already seen a 17% increase in its caseload in the first quarter of this year. The first three months of this year also saw 118 people evicted from their homes in the Cavan-Monaghan constituency. Across the State, there has been a 50% rise in evictions since the new rules came into force. Once again, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are making the housing crisis worse. What is needed now is a response from the Government that for the first time prioritises renters, not vulture funds, landlords or speculators. Sinn Féin's motion includes provisions mandating the Government to introduce an emergency ban on rent increases and no-fault evictions and to cut private rents by putting a full month's rent back in every private renter's pocket. These measures should be agreeable to every Member of this House who is concerned about the well-being of their constituents. I urge Deputies to give this motion their full support.

Sentiment score: -0.03