Joan Burton refuses to increase rent allowance

Tánaiste Joan Burton has been accused of turning her back on people at risk of homelessness after saying she will not increase rent allowance for more than 71,000 poverty-threatened households.

Sat, 28 Mar, 2015 - 00:00

Fiachra Ó Cionnaith

The Labour leader’s decision came on the same day as a pregnant woman said she is facing eviction because of the growing rent bubble and housing shortage crises.

Katie Byrne, 22, said she is facing eviction this weekend despite being nine months pregnant. Ms Byrne said she and her partner have been offered hostel accommodation by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and cannot afford to live elsewhere because of rent supplement limits.

The Department of Social Protection said it will not increase State supports for people unable to pay for private accommodation.

Independent TD Catherine Murphy, People before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett, the Simon Community, and the Peter McVerry Trust said the decision will condemn thousands of people to a life on the streets.