Serious concerns have been raised over the "huge" rent increases in Co Meath.

Sinn Fein TD Peadar Tóibín raised his concerns after figures from the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) revealed an annual increases in rent of 10.6%.

He said: "As was forecast, areas outside rent pressure zones are seeing dramatic rent increases. The average rent in Navan is now €954 per month.

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"The average rent in Trim is €959 and in Kells, the average rent is €892. Despite the relentless increases, none of these towns are eligible to be included as rent pressure zones.

"The need for rent certainty has never been clearer. This can only be achieved to linking rents to an index such as the Consumer Price Index. Unfortunately this has been voted down by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael on multiple occasions when introduced as a bill by Sinn Féin.

"Renters are continuing to struggle with inflated prices and they are only getting more squeezed as the situation is allowed to continue."

(CD/MH)