Co Kildare 'third most expensive for renters', Dáil hears

We live in a "dystopian and callous State" due to government inaction over homelessness, according to North Kildare TD, Réada Cronin (SF.)

While politicians recognised that the housing crisis is the single biggest issue facing the government, she told the Dáil recently, this recognition is not being met by action on the part of the government.

Deputy Cronin said there is a lack of “urgency” with the government addressing the fact that there are 15,000 people in homelessness, almost 5,000 of whom are children.

More and more families are being forced into emergency accommodation and homelessness every day, she said, adding this was not surprising in light of “extortionate” prices for both housing and rental accommodation.

She said: “In my constituency of Kildare North, a three-bed semi-detached house now costs more than €500,000. According to the RTB, County Kildare ranks as the third most expensive for renters. In north Kildare, one would be lucky to get a three-bedroom house for less than €3,000 a month.

“The Taoiseach's threat of ending the rent pressure zone system hangs over many. People worry about what they will do if their rent is drastically increased. The commission (the Housing Commission) itself says we have one of the highest levels of public expenditure on housing, yet this is the outcome.

“Disgusted”

“The tenant in situ scheme is another initiative supported by the Housing Commission in its report. It is a lifeline to so many people who face eviction when a landlord decides to sell, often leaving them with nowhere to go.

“I am disgusted that this scheme has been suspended in Kildare for people facing eviction. The importance of the tenant in situ scheme cannot be stressed enough for people facing homelessness.”

According to Deputy Cronin, this government “does not care” about people facing homelessness.

She concluded: “What is worse is that it does not care that everybody knows that it does not care. This is a dystopian and callous State to be living in.”

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