Louth people's lives 'turned upside down' by Government choices

The latest figures on rental prices, released by daft.ie on Wednesday show rents are increasing at the fastest rate ever recorded, according to Louth Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú, with rents in Louth surging by “a staggering 12%”.

Deputy Ó Murchú said the lives of families, workers, students and young people in Louth have “been turned upside down because the Government chose to prioritise the interests of big landlords and vulture funds, while throwing renters to the wolves”.

The Dundalk deputy said on Wednesday: “Figures released today reveal that rents in Louth rose by a staggering 12% in the first three months of this year, with a typical two-bed apartment now costing over €1,873.

“Ordinary families and young people hoping to build a future in Louth, cannot afford this in their wildest dreams.”

The Louth TD continued: “This comes off the back of confirmation that 146 eviction notices were issued in Louth in the first three months of the year alone.

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“These figures lay bare the devastating consequences of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s Rent Hike Bill - record rents, record evictions, families with nowhere to go, and young people forced to choose between paying crippling rents, moving back in with their families, or emigrating.

“Sinn Féin warned Government that this would happen. We urged them not to do this.

“They did not listen. They were intent on lining the pockets of big landlords, big developers, and vulture funds - and utterly indifferent to the impact for renters, for families, for ordinary people.

“They knowingly and willingly pushed ahead, and now renters are paying the price.

“These figures include just the first month of the government allowing landlords to jack rents up to market rates.

“That means renters in Louth could face even worse increases in the months ahead.”