The Minister of State has been slammed for failing to include towns in Meath west as rent pressure zones.

Sinn Féin TD Peadar Tóibín hit out after Navan and Trim were revealed to have seen the highest increases in rents in the country.

He said: "Rents in Meath jumped by nearly 12% last year – the second highest rise in the country. This is causing immeasurable hardship and putting enormous pressure on families.

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"While rent pressure zones have been applied to towns in the east of the county, such as Ashbourne, Ratoath and Laytown, there are no protections from spiralling rent increases for town in Meath West.

"Sinn Féin have tabled legislation for rent certainty which has been put before the Dáil on numerous occasions, but these have been consistently blocked by both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. Rent certainty measures include proposals to link rents to the Consumer Price Index which would offer great security to thousands of people vulnerable to escalating prices.

"Unfortunately, there is no real will from Fine Gael, or from their partners in government, Fianna Fáil, to act on the matter. I'm asking Deputy English once more, why has Meath West not been included in the State's rent control zones?"

(CD/LM)