Government has “no interest” in standing up for renters, Ó Broin says

Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin has predicted that the €300 increase in the renters’ tax credit will be “swallowed up by landlords”. 

Calling the increase to the existing renters tax credit “measly,” Ó Broin says that the government’s increases to rent market legislation will make landlords the big beneficiaries of the tax credit being increased.

The Dublin Mid-West TD said “rents are at an all-time high and rising.  The government’s controversial market rent reset legislation, rammed through the Dáil earlier this year, will see market rents rise even higher throughout the year.”

“Renters need rents to be cut, and they need a ban on rent increases.  This is the only way to ease the enormous financial hardship being placed on hard-working renters paying rip-off rents,” the Sinn Féin housing spokesperson said.

Ó Broin said “the government is considering a measly €300 increase in the renters’ tax credit.  This will be quickly swallowed up by landlords, both for new and existing tenants, as rents continue to spiral upwards.”

He said, “only a meaningful cut to rents through a significant increase in the renters’ tax credit, coupled with a ban on rent increases for new and existing tenants, will ease the pressure on renters.”

“Sinn Féin set out our alternative proposals to do right by renters in our alternative budget.  What is clear from the media speculation is that government has no interest in standing up for renters,” he remarked.