152. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to reduce unaffordable rents in the private sector. [17818/26]

Sentiment score: 0.00

The Minister has introduced legislation allowing landlords to reset rents upwards, which is unbelievable when rents are already unaffordable for the vast majority of people and we have an unprecedented homelessness crisis. Does the Minister have any plans to make rents affordable in the private rental sector or is he just admitting this is a Government that is about increasing rents in order to benefit landlords who profit from the housing misery that results from unaffordable rents?

Sentiment score: -0.11

That is all just meaningless drivel for the people out there looking for affordable rents.

Sentiment score: -0.44

It is unbelievable. Average incomes in this country are €55,000 to €60,000. Many if not most people earn less than that. Take-home pay is €3,300 to €3,600 a month after tax. If you are looking for a three-bedroom apartment in Dún Laoghaire, you will not find anything below €3,000 today. Most of them are €4,500. I will read out a few figures in my area: €3,800, €3,050 and €3,650. More than 100% of the take-home income of the average worker is needed for the rents that are being looked for today. Suzanne, whose family is in an overcrowded two-bed, is looking for a three-bed. She is paying €1,700 and that is what is available for her and her two kids. She is going to end up homeless or staying in overcrowded accommodation, as are many people. It is an impossible situation and the Minister has got nothing at all to say to people.

Sentiment score: 0.01

Seriously, young working people looking for accommodation are goosed with this Government. The Minister says supply is the answer. I am on the budget scrutiny committee. The Department of Finance in the Future Forty report is projecting that supply will not reach the level where it is possible, theoretically, that prices could come down until the end of the 2030s. We are stuck. Suzanne, who is looking to get from an overcrowded situation and is facing those rents, is goosed until the end of the 2030s. Another couple I am dealing with, who have two kids, got a notice to quit and are now living with neighbours. They have to wait until the end of the 2030s. We can actually control rents. They do it in other countries. Why will the Minister not control rents? Why does he allow rents to reach these unaffordable levels? Why does he allow people to be evicted? Why does he allow landlords to reset rents up to the highest levels when there is nowhere that can be afforded by average working people looking for a roof over their head?

Sentiment score: 0.02