A call has been issued to Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy to scrap rent pressure zones across Ireland.

Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD spoke in the Dáil today, 04 July, criticising the "failing" zones and urging Minister Murphy to introduce "real rent relief" for tenants.

Referencing the recent Residential Tenancies Board quarterly rent index, Deputy Ó Broin said: "We now have nine quarters of data which shows that the 4% cap in rent hikes in Dublin has not in any way tempered the rising cost of rents.

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"In Q1 of 2017, Dublin rents increased by 7.7% on the previous year. In Q1 2018, they increased by 8.7%. In Q1 2019, they increased by 8.5%.

"Average rents in Dublin are now €1,662 per month. That's €3,024 more per year to when the Rent Pressure Zones were introduced."

He added: "The Minister should grasp the opportunity of the forthcoming Residential Tenancies Bill to introduce real relief for hard pressed renters and those locked out of the rental sector."

(CM)