Fine Gael not going to solve Wicklow Rents Crisis – Brady

Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow/East Carlow John Brady has said that Minister Coveney’s pick and mix approach to tackling the rent crisis is utterly bizarre.

The Minister for Housing Simon Coveney has announced that Bray, Enniskerry and Wicklow town have been added to the 4% rent cap list.

Speaking following the announcement Teachta Brady said:

“Minister Coveney’s new brainwave in his ongoing yet, failing attempts to tackle the rent crisis is to pick three towns in Wicklow where the 4% annual rent cap is to be introduced.

“Towns across Wicklow have seen rent increases year on year and no town is an exception to this national trend.

“By picking just three towns in a county like Wicklow that has seen an overall increase in rents by 10.6% in the third quarter of last year disproportionately ignores an entire cohort of people struggling to keep a roof over their heads.

“This move by the Minister will do nothing for renters in towns like Arklow, Blessington and Greystones who have seen their rent increase in recent years. There is nothing in the Minister’s plans to assist these people.

“Sinn Féin has consistently called for rent certainty for all renters. On three separate occasions on bringing this forward in the Dáil Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have joined forces to stop this.

“The government’s plan for the private rented sector was disappointing and failed to introduce index linked rent certainty and sufficient security of tenure. Sinn Féin reiterates the call for tenancies of indefinite duration and for rent certainty linked to the Consumer Price Index.”