Rent Crisis Requires Immediate Action

The report from Daft.ie today which shows dramatic increases in house rents across the country indicates once again that this issue will have to be tackled as soon as possible by the Government. I have in the past proposed the building of student accommodation on the grounds of our third level colleges to cater for the huge demand that there is in that sector and it would free up accommodation in cities and large towns for families and others. We also need to fast track a ‘change of use’ policy in our towns and cities wherby premises which were previously used commercially can be changed for use for domestic purposes. If we need to fast track legislation through the Dail to facilitate this then so be it. The Government House Building policy announced recently by Minister Coveney must be put in place as soon as possible because this is the biggest crisis facing the Government and the country at the moment