Meath Rents Rise By 50% Over Four Years

Rent prices have risen by 50% over the last four years in Co Meath, according to Sinn Féin TD Peadar Tóibín.

With an average rise of 15.8% in the last year, An Teachta Tóibín said the speed of rent increases is "pricing many working families out of the market".

"It means that people in the east of the county are migrating west to find affordable rents and it means that many are being left homeless or in emergency accommodation over Christmas," he said.

"I have raised this issue directly with Minister Noonan and Minister Murphy. Shockingly, when I made the charge that Fine Gael want to see house prices and rents increase they have agreed stating that prices are not high enough to facilitate the building industry."

An Teachta Tóibín added this is the third time Sinn Féin have brought up the issue of rent certainty to a vote in the Dáil, however both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil voted the motion down.

"The Secure Rents and Tenancies Bill 2016 brought forward by my colleague Eoin Ó Broin TD is a straightforward piece of legislation that any rise by way of a review of that rent shall not be greater or less than the level of inflation as indicated in the Consumer Price Index," he continued.

"This would remove the possibility for the spikes and troughs that create the type of uncertainty for tenants and for landlords. Yet, the Government and their partners in Fianna Fáil think things are just fine the way they are.

"I am disappointed that none of the other TDs in the constituency would support this Bill. Thousands of families in Meath will be heading into the Christmas season to the pin of their collar and unsure whether they will be able to pay the rent or find a home in the New Year."

(LM/JP)