There have been heated exchanges in the Dáil over the rising cost of rents with opposition parties saying rents are rising at unsustainable levels.
The Taoiseach said there is a crisis in the rental sector but it can only be solved through the building of more homes.
There was a furnace-like atmosphere in the Dáil chamber this morning as the Opposition placed soaring rents at the centre of the political stage.
The Sinn Féin Leader said reports today show that rip-off rents are rising and cuckoo funds are outbidding those who want to buy a home.
Mary Lou McDonald told the Dáil that Government policy has led to home ownership becoming a pipe dream for a generation.
"Generation Rent feels battered, bruised and exhausted," she said.
Social Democrats Co-Leader Catherine Murphy said it was now only a matter of time before many young people will leave the country because they cannot afford rents.
She urged the Government to seek new advice and to alter its policies.
Soc-Dem co-leader @CathMurphyTD raises the issue of rent. "Will you immediately bring in a three-year ban for increases on rents?" Taoiseach @MichealMartinTD says the whole purpose of the Government's policy is to increase the supply of housing. | More: https://t.co/nq1nFDYv6B pic.twitter.com/bkfoJBVTZA
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) February 9, 2022
Taoiseach Micheál Martin responded, saying the country needs an average of 33,000 homes built every year until 2030.
If homes are not built in these numbers then rents will become even more expensive, he warned.
He then suggested that Sinn Féin had opposed the building of 6,000 homes.
This led to a heated exchange with Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin accusing the Taoiseach of "appalling dishonesty".
Taoiseach @MichealMartinTD and Sinn Féin TD @EOBroin clash in the Dáil about the issue of housing. | More: https://t.co/nq1nFDYv6B pic.twitter.com/bGESfNsdgV
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) February 9, 2022
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