Government measures to solve rent and housing crisis delayed another week

The Government’s package of plans to tackle the rent and housing crisis has been held up for another week.

The measures — which include limiting rent increases to once every two years — will now not be introduced until December, instead of this month as promised. The delay has been blamed on the volume of amendments which have been made to the legislation.

It comes as the CSO released its Annual Survey on Income and Living Conditions which revealed 1.3m people are experiencing deprivation — up 650,000 since this Government came to office.

The Simon Communities said that the study shows the significant financial pressure that families are under, adding that “more people are on the edge of homelessness”.

Environment Alan Kelly announced the package with Finance Minister Michael Noonan on November 10 to ease spiralling rents and housing shortages. At the time he promised the measures would be passed within a week.

Michael Noonan

However, Mr Kelly then said the legislation would be passed before the end of the month, it will now be into next week before the new measures are passed.

The package passed through the Seanad on Tuesday and was due back before the Dáil yesterday.

Under the legislation, a tax incentive will be provided for landlords to take people on rent supplement payments and the Private Residential Tenancies Board will receive more powers.

The legislation is now due to go through the Dáil next Tuesday and Wednesday.

Reacting to the latest CSO data, Niamh Randall of the Simon Communities in Ireland said the figures suggest many people and families are struggling.

“The study also reports that 28% of those at risk of poverty went without heating at some stage over the year and 15.8% were unable to adequately heat their home.

“Worryingly those living in rented accommodation below market rent were those most at risk of poverty at 36%, up slightly from 2013 which shows us just how difficult it is for those on low incomes to keep themselves in their home. There are currently 5,000 men, women, and children in emergency homeless accommodation nationally.”

Fianna Fáil social justice spokesman Willie O’Dea also expressed concern about the continued high rates of poverty following the release of the CSO data. He said: “Children, lone parents, and the unemployed still have unacceptably high levels of poverty and deprivation, and while there has been a very small decrease in consistent poverty and deprivation, the figures are still appalling.”

Willie O’Dea

Although the report found disposable income increased by 3.8% to €18,210 last year, it also revealed there is a greater risk of poverty.

Dr Seán Healy, director at Social Justice Ireland, said the figures mean that almost 30% of Ireland’s population are deprived of basic essentials like a warm winter coat or adequate heating.