Government must stop ignoring renters
Government must stop ignoring renters - The Labour Party
Labour’s Housing Spokesperson Conor Sheehan TD has slammed the Government’s ongoing failure to tackle the rental crisis following the publication of the latest Daft.ie rent report, which shows average rents have now surged beyond €2,000 for the first time nationally – with rents in Limerick city up a staggering 20.4% year-on-year.
Deputy Sheehan said:
“This Daft report is a stark reminder of the Government’s continued neglect of the rental market. The figures are devastating – average rents now over €2,000 nationally, and in my own constituency of Limerick city, tenants are facing annual increases of 20.4%. That is simply unsustainable. Renting is broken in Ireland, and it’s renters who are paying the price.
“Under Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, we have seen the same failed policies repackaged and reannounced, but never reformed. Renters continue to face unaffordable costs, insecure tenancies, and poor living conditions. The Government’s approach is not working, and today’s report should serve as a wake-up call. We need bold, decisive action – not more of the same.
“Labour has long argued for proper regulation of short-term lets, which are making the housing crisis worse by reducing the availability of long-term rental homes. The Government’s refusal to act is not an oversight – it’s a political choice.
“There are clear steps the Government could take. Labour’s Renters’ Rights Bill would finally deliver real security of tenure, enforce standards, and address affordability in a meaningful way. Our proposals are practical, targeted, and rooted in the lived experience of renters across the country. There are solutions – what’s missing is political will. It’s time for action.”