Sir, – I note from Saturday’s Irish Times that the Minister for Housing proposes to increase housing assistance payments by up to 35 per cent to help combat the inexorable rise in market rents facing those who are eligible for HAP.
Could the Minister indicate what support he intends to provide for the vast cohort of young couples, ineligible for HAP, in the private market who are exposed to the same increases.
These young people are paying exorbitant rents in excess of €2,000 (after tax) per month for accommodation whilst striving to build up a deposit to buy their own homes.
These people are also further restricted from buying apartments/homes due to the virtual monopoly of new builds being bought up by property investment companies for rental.
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It surely is time for a radical rethink on housing.
– Yours, etc,
CATHAL GRIFFIN,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 16.
