Rental prices in Louth have increased by 90% since 2011, according to new research.

The Daft.ie Rental Price Report for Q2 2018 reveals the average monthly rent for Louth is €1,161 a 13.4% increase on the second quarter of last year.

Louth and East Meath TD, Gerry Adams, said the situation "is an unsustainable burden on those renting or trying to rent".

"Clearly, rents across the state are spiralling out of control and they show no sign of slowing down," he said.

"The Government's strategy for tackling the housing crisis has failed at every level. Homelessness is getting worse, not enough social housing is being constructed and the government's reliance on the private sector has failed.

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"The Rent Pressure Zones which were established by the government have also failed to improve the housing crisis.

"The Daft.ie report also confirms the conclusions of this week's report from the Simon community and the difficulties many households are having securing a rental property."

Continuing, Mr Adams said the Simon report 'Locked Out of the Market XI' reveals many properties available for rent are outside the price range of those households receiving Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and Rent Supplement.

"The report found that, out of 530 properties available to rent, 489 of these were above the HAP/Rent Supplement limits," he said.

"This is the lowest recorded point in a downwards trend that has been declining since Rent Supplement and HAP limits were increased in July 2016.

"The fact is that this Fine Gael led government which is maintained by Fianna Fáil, has abjectly failed to meet the challenge of the housing crisis created by the bad policies of successive governments.

"There is a need for a radical change of policy. This requires rent certainty that keeps families in their homes. It is also demands an increase in the supply of real social housing units.

"The government must at least double capital expenditure in social and affordable housing in Budget 2019."

(LM/MH)