Taoiseach vows new rent controls will be introduced by July
Rent controls are being extended to the fifth of tenancies not already covered by Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) regulations.
Under the new regulations, RPZs will change to a nationwide rent control system.
RPZs until now extended only to specific areas of high demand where rent increases were capped at a maximum of 2pc per annum.
Introduced to tackle spiralling rents amid Ireland's housing shortage, RPZs had been due to expire by December 31.
Now, the system will be extended and will effectively operate on a nationwide basis.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the measures had attracted widespread support.
"First of all, the measures have been broadly welcomed by people who are engaged in the housing sector and the housing industry," he said. "I think the opposition didn't expect the measures we brought in in terms of the protections (offered)."
"This measure will come before the Government – it will have to go through the legislature – that depends on the Oireachtas."
"But the aim is to have it done before the summer recess and that's just one aspect of what was an important series of reforms which were necessary."
Mr Martin said the measures were being implemented to address issues within the accommodation sector.
Under the changes, a further 11 counties will benefit from the controls offered by the RPZ regime.
"They had to happen because of the fact we were looking at the expiry deadline for the existing framework at the end of the year and which the Housing Commission and then the Housing Agency – following that the Housing Commission did a review on all of this – both recommended change."
"So steady as it goes," he said.
Tánaiste Simon Harris said the Coalition was committed to taking "big and bold decisions" on housing in a bid to increase supply and control costs for families.
Housing Minister James Browne will introduce the legislation this week.
Mr Harris said that while it was an interim bill, it could be called emergency legislation.
The Tánaiste said the measures underlined just how seriously the Government regarded the issue of housing.
The Economic and Social Research Institute warned that between 35,000 and 53,000 new homes are now required on an annual basis to cope with Ireland's accommodation need.
The rent controls measures are being introduced amid fears Ireland will miss its house construction target in 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Tánaiste to warn of impact of further tariffs
Tánaiste Simon Harris will today warn that the threat of further tariffs represents "the most serious challenge to transatlantic economic relations in generations." In a speech at the National Economic Dialogue at Dublin Castle, Mr Harris will insist that the EU must remain steadfast in pursuing "substantive, calm, measured, and comprehensive dialogue" with the US in order to avoid the imposition of further tariffs. The National Economic Dialogue is an annual event that brings together various stakeholders for consultation and discussion on the upcoming budget. It will be attended by trade unions, business groups, charities, and environmental organisations. The event will be addressed by the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Minister for Finance, Minister for Public Expenditure, and other members of the Cabinet. In his address to the conference, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe will tell delegates that the near-term economic outlook is clouded in uncertainty and that positive headline economic figures so far this year mask considerable vulnerabilities. "Much of the headline balance arises from a handful of large multinationals and, as I mentioned, the mood-music is changing. It is not appropriate – indeed it could be dangerous – to plan on the basis of these receipts being permanent," Mr Donohoe will say. The theme of this year's National Economic Dialogue is 'Medium-term budgetary planning against a rapidly changing global backdrop'. The conference is not intended to produce specific budget proposals or recommendations but rather to assist participants in preparing their own pre-budget submissions. Ahead of the event, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has warned that Ireland's economic model is unsustainable and has urged the Government to use Budget 2026 to put the economy on a firmer footing. ICTU General Secretary Owen Reidy said the country has been left dangerously exposed to global shocks. "In this era of uncertainty, Government needs to end its reliance on the sugar rush of corporation tax windfalls, and start serious planning for the longer term," Mr Reidy said. "We have an over-reliance on a handful of firms for corporation tax, significant wage inequality, and major infrastructure deficits across housing, healthcare and transport," he added. Speaking ahead of the event, Social Justice Ireland said the country's overall level of taxation will have to rise significantly in the years to come to address current service and infrastructure deficits, and meet the changing needs of a growing and ageing population "Work must begin now on planning for a sustainable tax-take and wise investment of available funds into infrastructure and services to embed resilience," said John McGeady, CEO, Social Justice Ireland.
Irish Examiner
7 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Irish survivors to tell UN session why they want a ban on use of counselling notes in rape trials
Survivors of sexual offences will call on the Irish Government to ban outright the use of counselling notes in sexual offence trials, at a session of the United Nations on Monday. Ciara Mangan and Leyla Simsek of Beyond Surviving will be joined by human rights and equality researcher Lisa Murray in Geneva for a session of the Committee on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women. During the session — which runs from Monday to July 4 — the committee will review Mexico, Thailand, Ireland, Afghanistan, San Marino, Chad, and Botswana on how the countries are implementing the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women. New bill stalled by Government The session comes just days after the Criminal Law (Prohibition of the Disclosure of Counselling Records) Bill 2025 brought forward by Ruth Coppinger was stalled by the Government for a year. The bill aims to ban outright the use of counselling notes in sexual offence trials. Ciara Mangan described as 'gut-wrenching' Thursday's decision not to progress the bill beyond second stage for 12 months, which a Government amendment said was 'to allow for consideration by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to consider and bring forward provisions relating to Counselling Records". Justice minister Jim O'Callaghan secured Government approval last month to draught legislation which would result in complainants' counselling notes only being disclosed in sexual assault trials if the court decides they are relevant. However, in a submission to the UN, Beyond Surviving described the minister's proposal as legislating to continue the practice of disclosure of counselling notes, 'rather than cease it'. Practice 'removes the victim's agency' The group says that the use of counselling notes in sex offence trials are 'disproportionately discrediting a truthful victim'. The submission added: 'Further, it removes the victim's right to non-disclosure, claiming it to be a solution to victims being 'fearful that if they do not agree to furnish the records, the prospect of a successful prosecution may be put in jeopardy'. It thereby removes the victim's agency entirely, denying any option to exercise the right to nondisclosure. The survivors' group argues that allowing counselling notes in court cases is a breach of human rights 'when such information is non-evidentiary and perpetuates harm through re-victimisation". The submission says: 'Beyond Surviving contends that the current legislation and proposed amendment is a violation of our rights.' Calling the use of counselling notes a violation, the submission also says: 'We assert that this practice is discriminatory and a breach of women's rights to access health and justice. It is a violation of our privacy and deeply harmful. This violation must be eradicated.' Arguing that their use does not lead to a fair trial, the submission continued: "We do not agree that emotional records from therapy bear relevance to the trial or help to determine the facts of the case.' The submission added: 'Significant harm and suffering caused by such interference [in using counselling notes] outweighs what is suggested as its purported benefit.'
Irish Times
7 hours ago
- Irish Times
TDs and senators question if €7m Dáil broadcasting contract is value for money
A cross-party group of 125 TDs and senators, including a Government Minister, has called for a review of the estimated €7 million contract for audio and video coverage of Oireachtas proceedings, with questions around its value for money. In a letter to the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, which runs Leinster House, the public representatives, including Minister of State Jerry Buttimer , said there is a 'compelling case' for the commission to directly employ the 10 full-time and 20 part-time professional broadcast workers providing the coverage, 'given the extremely concerning working conditions and pay issues'. They allege 'precarious and uncertain working hours, withdrawal of pay during Oireachtas recess periods – including Christmas – lack of pension entitlements, pay that is significantly below the industry norm, lack of any retainer payment and a culture of criticism from management'. 'These workers are left to rely on social welfare for periods when the Oireachtas is not in session.' READ MORE The letter also says 'it is difficult to see what a contract with a private company adds to the services they provide given that all the skilled work is carried out by these workers and their equipment is provided by the Oireachtas itself'. The first five-year contract was issued in 2011 for €7 million. TDs and senators are attempting to establish the current value of the contract 'and how this money is spent'. Pi Communications, the current contractor, which provides a similar service to the Northern Ireland Assembly , has said the contract operates on a 'pay per public minute model'. Based on the 2011 contract, this meant €250 an hour for each hour of broadcast, as well as an overall contract fee. The employees broadcast the live feeds of the Dáil, Seanad and committees. They also oversee the archiving of all feeds. The company said the workers have a guaranteed fixed amount of work 'each full sitting week', with 'certainty of income for their contracted work'. However, one employee, who did not want to be named, said most of the employees are on 'casual part-time contracts' with 'only one day a week guaranteed, which is very precarious'. Some workers have no guaranteed days and are only brought in occasionally, the employee said. In response, Pi Communications said: 'We are surprised and disappointed that some who have commented on our operations did not first fact-check the accuracy and veracity of ill-founded claims.' The company said the employees earn substantially more than the national living wage, with attractive bonus arrangements and receive paid leave and sick leave. Employees 'are free to work on other projects or for other employers, as is the norm in our industry'. It said salaries are regularly benchmarked and commensurate with roles, skills, experience and responsibilities. Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide, who co-ordinated the TDs. and senators' letter, said public representatives question 'the value for money' the contract provides. They believe it would be cheaper for the Oireachtas to pay the workers directly. He said the 'only overheads in the contract would seem to be the employees' pay', as the equipment is supplied by the Oireachtas. The issue has been referred to the Public Accounts Committee and to the Oireachtas Media Committee. The letter says the contract is due for renewal this year. It adds that any review should include an in-depth investigation into the issues raised by the broadcast workers, which they have previously attempted to resolve through industrial relations mechanisms. Included in the group of 125 calling for the review is Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, Labour leader Ivana Bacik, Social Democrats acting leader Cian O'Callaghan, and former journalists Evanne Ní Chuilinn (Fine Gael) and Alison Comyn (Fianna Fáil), both of whom are senators. The Houses of the Oireachtas Commission has said the workers and Pi Communications are in dialogue at the Workplace Relations Commission and it would not be appropriate 'to undermine the industrial relations process'.
