Rent Limit increase will keep families in their homes

Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal Alan Farrell has welcomed the decision by Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton T.D. to increase the limits for rent supplement in Dublin Fingal.

“Due to the rental market increase in Fingal over the past two years, the availability of rental properties within the current limits has dropped by approximately 10%, resulting in difficulty for tenants to source appropriate accommodation within the current limits.

“These figures were reflected in the number of constituents who have contacted me in crisis over the past twelve months, unable to source appropriate accommodation for their families and facing the prospect of leaving the community in which they worked or enrolled their children in school.

“I raised this matter frequently in the Dáil and on a one to one basis with Minister Burton to highlight the urgency of this issue, and welcomed the decision to carry out a Rent Limit Review which has now resulted in the increase of rent limits.

“This review sets Rent Supplement maximum rates to ensure that 35% of the relevant market is suitably priced for Rent Supplement recipients. This will ensure sufficient housing stock is available for those on Rent Supplement.

“This government is committed to ensuring that those on low incomes have a safe and suitable home and I commend Minister Burton for taking action and proceeding with these changing despite budgetary constraints.

“An increase has been applied to all tenant categories in Fingal.   I am also pleased to note that the revised rates will come into force without delay, from the 17^th June this year, which will provide certainty to both tenants and landlords, which is positive for the rental market.”