The latest Daft.ie report highlights the sheer folly of the government’s intention to make changes to Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs), according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne.
Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said:
“Today’s Daft report paints the bleakest picture yet of the cost of renting a home in Ireland. The figures show that average asking prices for rents nationally increased by 3.4 per cent between January and March this year, rising above €2,000 for the first time.
“This is the largest increase recorded for any three months in the last two decades, with rents now 48 per cent higher than just before the outbreak of Covid-19.
“All our major cities saw the most dramatic increases, with Dublin now having the highest average rents of €2,540 per month. How on earth can anyone on low to medium incomes afford to rent in the capital?
“But despite rents now climbing faster than at any point over the past 20 years, Housing Minister James Browne is intent on removing RPZ rent caps. Has the penny not dropped with this government that rents are high enough without removing this modest protection for tenants?
“Yet again, the government is prioritising the profits of international investors and developers over the needs of ordinary renters. The Minister’s comments are also at odds with the views of Tánaiste Simon Harris, who has previously expressed support for retaining RPZs.
“The Social Democrats will strenuously resist any attempt by the government to end RPZs, and believe this issue has the potential to be as politically explosive as the botched handling of the housing tsar appointment.”
May 19, 2025