Sinn Féin has confirmed it will oppose any proposed rent increases for tenants of Dublin City Council, following ongoing discussions about potential reforms to the city's rental system.

Cllr Daithí Doolan, Sinn Féin Leader on Dublin City Council, said: "Sinn Féin will oppose any proposed rent increases for Dublin City Council tenants.

"There have been ongoing negotiations with city council management and other parties about reform to the rental system in Dublin City. During this whole process Sinn Féin has worked to minimise the impact on low income tenants.

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"Families are really struggling with the cost of living crisis. People are being pushed to the pin of their collar trying to cover the cost of food, heating and fuel. The last thing working families need is a rent increase.

"Families in council housing are in overcrowded conditions, poorly insulated homes, requiring urgent upgrades. Demanding more rent is an insult.

"Families with grown children cannot be demanding more money from them to cover a rent increase while the same children are struggling to save for a mortgage or a deposit.

"The Sinn Féin Group on Dublin City Council will be meeting later today to discuss how we can work with tenants groups and others to oppose this rent increase.

"The real problem is that the central government is starving Dublin City Council of essential funding to cover maintenance of council housing. Only last month the Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael government were applauding themselves on the huge budget surplus. Some of that money must be invested in housing here in Dublin."