Coveney claims rent caps are working

Simon Coveney, the former housing minister, has insisted caps on rent increases have worked despite anger over figures which show rates are still rising sharply.

With the average rent in Dublin City now at €1,741 a month — up 12% on a year ago — the Government was accused of failing renters by not taking radical action to solve the crisis.

Student representatives have met with Mary Mitchell O’Connor, super junior minister for higher education, amid the scramble for accommodation ahead of the college term.