The Minister for Social Protection has been criticised over her decision not to increase rent supplements to struggling families and individuals, despite rising rent prices in the last year.

Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Social Protection, Willie O'Dea, said it is a "disgraceful" decision by the government and a "complete abandonment" of people in serious need.

He said: "The Government is unwilling to raise maximum rent supplement payments, despite clear evidence that limits are too low for people to secure accommodation. The limits on rent supplement are exacerbating homelessness problem which will reach crisis point again in the coming months unless rent supplement limits are raised."

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The latest Private Residential Tenancies Board Ireland (PRTB) report has shown that the cost of renting is continuing to rise, with an increase of 5.8% in rents nationally over the course of 2014. This follows a 3% increase in 2013. Rent for houses rose by 4.8% and apartment rents were up by up 6.4%. Rental Prices in Dublin especially are at the peak levels of 2007. In Dublin, rents have risen by 9.6% with house rents up by 7% and apartments higher again – up by 10.9%.

Deputy O'Dea added: "Rent supplement is simply too low for people to find accommodation, especially in Dublin. The maximum rent supplement for a family of four is capped at €975 and people are unable to pay anything above this to secure accommodation.

"However, according to the PRTB the average cost of a small two bed dwelling anywhere in Dublin is upwards of €1,130. This gap makes it virtually impossible for many individuals or families to rent suitable accommodation and is accelerating the homeless crisis."

(CD/JP)