Rent prices across Ireland have hit an all-time high, according to the latest figures published by Daft.ie.

Daft.ie's latest quarterly report shows the average rent price stands at €1,366. The number of homes available to rent is also at the lowest level in 13 years.

Responding to the figures, Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada said: "We clearly have a broken system and a Minister for Housing who is frighteningly out of touch. It is a dangerous combination. With the average rent now standing at a jaw-dropping €1,366, we plainly need an urgent and radical change of direction.

"People in the private sector are being hit again and again as the cost of renting is now higher than a mortgage.

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"The government's plan is failing in a spectacular fashion as Fine Gael continues to prioritise corporate interests over the needs of ordinary people.

"The rental crisis is now touching into every city, town and village in the state. In my own constituency, we see alarming increases of 14.4% in Limerick, 13.6% in Waterford, and 10% in Cork City.

"Minister Murphy, an Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, and Fine Gael do not represent renters. They seem to have absolutely no understanding of how their failed housing policies impact people in every, single aspect of their lives."

Ms Ní Riada has called on the government to introduce a three year rent freeze with immediate effect in response to the crisis.

She added: "The need for the introduction a three year rent freeze is now undeniable and urgent. It must be introduced alongside a temporary tax relief for renters. Existing tenancies would have their rents frozen at their current levels and new tenancies would be pegged to the RTB's average rent index.

"Minister Eoghan Murphy has a clear choice. He can continue to implement policy that does nothing for renters and enriches corporate landlords or he can take meaningful action."

(CM/JG)