Renters left out in the cold

Cork North West TD, Aindrias Moynihan has said that he is disappointed that fellow TD, and current Government Minister, Michael Creed did not fight Ballincollig’s corner at Cabinet when the decision to introduce rent caps on high pressure rental zones was agreed.

“Yesterday, the Government announced that rental properties in Dublin and Cork City would be subject to a maximum annual rent increase of 4%,” he said.

“Fianna Fáil has significant issues with this proposal including the actual rate of increase, but importantly for people living in commuter communities outside Cork City, the areas that will be covered by the proposal. Ballincollig has experienced massive rental price surges over the last five years. Yet, despite this, it will not be covered by Minister Coveney’s proposals,” he said.

He said he has no doubt that people renting in Ballincollig are undoubtedly disappointed by Minister Creed’s decision.

“Ultimately the housing crisis can only be overcome by increasing housing supply in the medium to long term. However, we have acknowledged that short term measures are needed to provide rent certainty for tenants over the next three years.” he said.

Deputy Moynihan said: “Fáil published substantial proposals last November to provide rent certainty for people right across the country. It is unfortunate that the Government did not listen to our proposals, and instead run with their own proposals.”