Average rents are continuing to rise across Ireland, with renters facing increases of over 10% at the end of 2021.

The new data from Daft.ie revealed an increase of 10.3% in average monthly asking rent in the last three months of 2021.

Sinn Féin representative Eoin Ó Broin TD has slammed the new figures and called for a revision of the government's affordable rental targets.

Teachta Ó Broin said: "Rents are continuing to soar outside the Dublin area, with rents increasing by almost 20% or more in all counties in Connacht.

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"This is a phenomenal increase and is massive additional cost for workers and families to bear; on top of rapid increases in household bills.

"This latest Daft.ie report makes it clear that there is little or zero affordable rental supply in most parts of the State.

"The ban on local councils buying homes with HAP or RAS tenants in-situ where the landlord is selling up is also forcing families into homelessness while the properties are being sold to investment funds, who lease these same properties back to local authorities. This makes no social or economic sense.

"The government’s 2% rent cap is clearly not working. We need a ban on rent increases on all existing and new tenancies, and we need government to put money back in renters pockets through a refundable tax credit worth a month's rent.

"Government must also accept that their social and affordable rental targets for 2022 are not sufficient and must be revised."