Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
897. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the 7.5% rent increase on housing accommodation as this increase makes it more difficult for people who are homeless in finding a home. [37558/13]
View answerThe most recent quarterly rent index produced by the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) shows an annualised increase of 0.7% in average private rented accommodation rent levels nationally. This increase is driven by the Dublin market, where rent levels have increased by 4.7%, whereas average rent levels in the rest of the country have fallen by 1.3% on a year-on-year basis. Fluctuations in rent levels are a factor of supply and demand. While Government should not seek to interfere unduly in the operation of the market , movements in price levels are kept under close scrutiny.
I recently published a Homelessness Policy Statement in which I outlined the Government's aim to end long-term homelessness by the end of 2016. The statement emphasises a housing-led approach which is about accessing permanent housing as the primary response to all forms of homelessness. The availability and supply of secure, affordable and adequate housing is essential in ensuring sustainable tenancies and ending long-term homelessness.
As such, while I do not consider that these price changes will unduly affect the Government’s homelessness strategy I will keep all relevant data under review.
