State spending on rent subsidies tops €1bn for the first time

The Government is making the rental crisis worse by renting and leasing thousands of homes instead of creating additional supply, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Cian O'Callaghan.

Annual State spending on private rent subsidies and leasing measures has topped €1bn.

The Government has been accused of making the housing and rental crisis worse by relying on the private market instead of providing social housing to people who need it.