More than 50% of all council rents in the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown county council area are in rent arrears.

Sinn Féin Councillor Chris Curran said he was shocked by the extent of arrears.

Over 86% (€3.2m) of the rent amounts due is four months or over.

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Councillor Curran said: "The figures show clearly that council tenants are being squeezed, just like homeowners and that councils across the country should examine their accounts with a view to writing off uncollectable debts.

"The precedent exists where lenders assisted mortgages holders with their mortgage arrears in some cases writing off part of the mortgage arrears, perhaps the same treatment can be shown to council tenants."

(CD/JP)