Sinn Féin has served a Section 140 motion on Wicklow County Council calling on the Chief Executive to halt the proposed rent increases for council tenants across the county.
The motion was served by Sinn Féin councillors Warren O’Toole and John Ward, with the support of Independent councillor Joe Behan, at today’s emergency meeting of Wicklow County Council, which took place following a Sinn Féin request in response to the volume of constituents who were in contact after receiving notification of the proposed increases.
Many tenants have reported dramatic rent increases, including increases of more than 100%, despite household incomes remaining static since the previous rent review.
The Sinn Féin campaign has already resulted in the Council postponing implementation of the new rents from 3 October 2026 to 7 November 2026.
The Section 140 motion will be considered at next Monday’s Council meeting at 2pm.
Sinn Féin is also calling on all tenants affected by the proposed increases to mobilise for a protest at 1pm at County Buildings, ahead of the council meeting.
Arklow Sinn Féin Councillor Warren O’Toole said:
“By the Council’s own figures, 87% of tenants are facing rent increases.
“I have seen the impact of this first-hand, having been contacted by people facing rent increases of more than 100%, despite their household incomes remaining static since the previous rent review.
“This is an absolute hammer blow to families already struggling with the cost of food, fuel, gas and electricity.
“That is why myself and Councillor John Ward took action to secure an emergency meeting of Wicklow County Council.
“We welcomed the opportunity to discuss this today and shine a light on what these increases will mean for council tenants.
“The postponement from 3 October to 7 November is welcome, but we don’t need a pause — we need these increases stopped.
“Now the decision rests firmly with the 32 councillors of Wicklow County Council.
“On Monday, those 32 councillors will vote on the Section 140 motion which under the Local Government Act 2001, gives councillors the power to stop decisions taken by the executive.
“So on Monday, councillors have very real power, and a very clear choice.
“They can use that power to stand with council tenants and stop these rent hikes, or they can allow the increases to proceed.
“There can be no hiding behind a postponement. There can be no passing the buck.
“Tenants have spoken. Now it is time for the 32 councillors to listen, and to act.
“I would encourage every tenant affected to make their voice heard and join us at County Buildings at 1pm on Monday.”
Bray Sinn Féin Councillor John Ward said:
“The scale of the rent increases being reported by tenants across Wicklow should be a serious concern for every elected member of the Council.
“We are hearing from tenants who have received letters setting out substantial increases, in many cases more than doubling their weekly rent, while many households have seen little or no increase in their income since the previous rent review.
“The postponement of the implementation date provides some breathing space, but we don’t need a pause — we need these increases stopped.
“That is why Councillor Warren O’Toole and I worked to bring this issue before the Council and why we have now served a Section 140 motion calling for the increases to be halted.
“Now the decision rests firmly with the 32 councillors of Wicklow County Council.
“On Monday, 5 October at 2pm, those 32 councillors will vote on the Section 140 motion.
“This is not simply another debate.
“Councillors therefore have very real power, and a very clear choice.
“They can use that power to stand with council tenants and stop these rent hikes, or they can allow the increases to proceed ahead of Christmas, while tenants are already facing significant financial pressure.
“I would encourage everyone affected to mobilise for Monday’s protest and make their views known.”
Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow, John Brady, said:
“The volume of tenants contacting me about these proposed increases shows just how serious this issue has become.
“I have heard directly from households facing rent increases of more than 100%, despite their incomes remaining static since the previous review.
“For families already under pressure from the rising cost of food, fuel, gas and electricity, increases on this scale will have a very significant impact on their household finances.
“There are also tenants contacting us who are living in overcrowded, damp or mould-affected homes and are now being asked to pay substantially more for their accommodation.
“The postponement of the increases is welcome, but we don’t need a pause, we need the proposed increases scrapped.
“The Section 140 motion now puts the decision firmly in the hands of Wicklow’s 32 councillors.
“Tenants have made their views clear. I am calling on councillors to listen to them and to act.
“I fully support the Section 140 motion and call on all councillors to back it.”
Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow-Wexford, Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin, said:
“When tenants are reporting rent increases of this scale, including increases of more than 100% in some cases, the Council needs to take a step back and stop.
“My constituency office has been overwhelmed with calls, emails and messages from council tenants who are deeply concerned, shocked and frightened about the impact these increases will have on their households.
“The postponement of the implementation date is a good first step, but we need these increases stopped entirely.
“Now the decision rests firmly with the 32 councillors of Wicklow County Council.
“On Monday, they will vote on the Section 140 motion which provides elected members with an opportunity to halt these proposed rent increases.
“Tenants deserve to have their concerns properly considered, and Sinn Féin will continue to raise those concerns directly with Wicklow County Council and support tenants affected by these proposed increases.
“I would encourage all those affected to come along to the protest on Monday at 1pm.”
ENDS