Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow, John Brady, has said today’s Daft.ie report exposes the devastating impact of Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael’s Rent Hike Bill as rents surge to record highs and evictions are at the highest level since the famine.
The latest figures show rents are increasing at the fastest rate ever recorded, with rent in Wicklow for a typical two-bed apartment surging by a staggering 19.7% year on year.
He said the lives of families, workers, students and young people in Wicklow have been turned upside down because the Government chose to prioritise the interests of big landlords and vulture funds, while throwing renters to the wolves.
Teachta Brady said:
“Ordinary families and young people hoping to build a future in Wicklow cannot afford this in their wildest dreams.
“Across the state, rents jumped by 4.4% between December and March, the sharpest increase on record.
“This comes off the back of confirmation that 145 eviction notices were issued in Wicklow in the first three months of the year alone.
“These figures lay bare the devastating consequences of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s Rent Hike Bill – record rents, record evictions, families with nowhere to go, and young people forced to choose between paying crippling rents, moving back in with their families, or emigrating.
“Sinn Féin warned Government that this would happen. We urged them not to do this.
“They did not listen. They were intent on lining the pockets of big landlords, big developers, and vulture funds – and utterly indifferent to the impact for renters, for families, for ordinary people.
“They knowingly and willingly pushed ahead, and now renters are paying the price.
“These figures include just the first month of the government allowing landlords to jack rents up to market rates.
“That means renters in Wicklow could face even worse increases in the months ahead.
“The government must stop punishing renters. They need to cut rents, ban rent increases, ban no-fault evictions, and dramatically ramp up the delivery of social and genuinely affordable homes.
“Wicklow renters cannot take any more.”
ENDS