It with great sadness that I learned of the death of Shane MacGowan, a musical icon I think we can all agree. Shane will be remembered as one of the greatest songwriters of his generation, greatly inspired by his Irish roots, history and family. Shane brought his unique style to all corners of the world and his music will continue to be enjoyed for generations to come. On behalf of Sinn Féin, I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Victoria, his extended family, his wide circle of friends and all who loved him and loved his music. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
Léiríonn an tuarascáil ón mBord um Thionóntachtaí Cónaithe inniu an t-ardú uafásach ar chíosanna ar fud an Stáit. Tá méadú 12% tagtha ar chíosanna nua agus tá na cíosanna atá ansin le tamall ardaithe níos mó ná 5%. Leis an Rialtas seo, tá an ghéarchéim tithíochta ag dul in olcas agus caithfimid cosc a chur ar ardaithe cíosanna agus tacaíocht a thabhairt fosta do chíosóirí trí chíos míosa a chur ar ais ina bpócaí.
Today the Government broke a new record. Today's report from the Residential Tenancies Board reveals rent increases that are nothing short of shocking. Families, workers and young people deserve better. They need affordable housing and affordable rents, but this Government does not care about renters and this is very clear to see. In the past year, new rents have increased by almost 12% across the State. This is the highest annual increase ever since these increases started to have been recorded more than 15 years ago. The average new rent across the State is almost €1,600 per month. Does the Tánaiste know what this means for an average renter? It means that he or she will have to find an extra €2,000 more on top of the existing rent to meet the new rents being charged compared with this time last year. These are punishing rent hikes. In Dublin, new rents are now €2,105 per month.
It is not just new tenants who are suffering. Existing tenants are also being fleeced, with existing rents rising by 5% across the State. In my own county of Donegal, existing rents have spiked by 10% in the past year, which is unsustainable for renters, families and communities. It is clear there are issues with landlords' compliance with the Government's rent pressure caps with existing rent hikes in Dublin now over 5%. Renters cannot keep taking these kind of rent hikes.
The Government tells us it is making an impact on housing but this is simply not true. Let us look at the facts. House prices are up, homeownership is down, rents are out of control and homelessness is at record levels. The Government's plan is failing. The longer the Tánaiste and his party are in office, the worse things get. This report needs to be a wake-up call for everyone on the Government benches. In March, the Tánaiste told us we had turned a corner on housing. If that is true, what is clear from today's report is that it was a bad turn for renters because the housing crisis is deepening for them.
Sinn Féin's proposal to ban rent increases would have prevented what we are seeing in this report today. The Government must urgently introduce a ban on rent increases for existing and new tenancies. It must also put a full month's rent back into renters' pockets.
What is the Tánaiste's response to the shocking revelations of the harsh realities facing renters and that, on his Government's watch, during the past 12 months, rents have increased across the State by 12%? Does he accept that under the Government's housing plan, the condition of renters is getting worse not better and will he commit to banning rent increases and putting one month's rent back into renters' pockets?
