The government has confirmed it is examining the introduction of a national social housing rent framework, as concerns continue over significant rent increases facing some tenants in Wicklow.
The issue was raised in the Dáil by Wicklow Wexford TD Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin, who said many local authority tenants are facing steep increases under Wicklow County Council’s revised differential rent scheme, which is due to come into effect on November 7.
Speaking during a debate on social housing rents, Deputy Ó Súilleabháin cited the cases of pensioners and working families struggling to absorb the additional costs during the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Deputy Ó Súilleabháin argued that significant disparities exist between local authorities nationwide, with households on similar incomes paying markedly different rents depending on where they live.
He called on the government to introduce a uniform national differential rent scheme and to review the model now being implemented in Wicklow.
Martina Wynne, Bernie D’Arcy, William McGeown, and Marie Caboche, with CATU, protest against council rent hikes at Wicklow County Council buildings in Wicklow town on Monday, September 28. © Leigh Anderson
Responding on behalf of Housing Minister James Browne, junior minister Kieran O’Donnell said the Housing Act allows local authorities to devise their own differential rent schemes within broad principles set down by the Department of Housing.
Under the current system, social housing rents are linked to household income, ensuring lower-income households pay lower rents. However, the junior minister acknowledged that approaches vary considerably across the country’s 31 local authorities.
He noted that Wicklow County Council had recently completed a review of its rent arrangements. Until now, separate rent schemes operated in the Bray Municipal District and the remainder of the county.
The minister said bringing both areas under a single countywide scheme had been a longstanding objective since local government reforms were introduced in 2014.
Mininster O’Donnell said the government’s housing plan includes a commitment to review social housing rents nationally. Departmental analysis had already identified significant differences between local authorities in how social rents are calculated and applied, he said.
The Department is continuing work on a standardised national framework that would be equitable, progressive and financially sustainable, while protecting vulnerable tenants and ensuring councils can maintain their housing stock.
He said proposals are expected to come before government for consideration in the coming months.
Deputy Ó Súilleabháin welcomed the prospect of greater national consistency but urged ministers to move quickly, warning that many Wicklow tenants face a difficult winter as higher rents coincide with increased household and heating costs.
He also called for a review of a 3pc surcharge contained within the revised Wicklow scheme, arguing that residents already under financial pressure should not face additional charges.
The issue has also been raised by Wicklow TD John Brady, who told the Dáil that 87pc of the council’s approximately 6,500 tenants would experience rent increases under the new scheme, with some facing rises of between 100 and 300pc.
Speaking after the debate he said the situation is unacceptable and needs to be addressed, as some of these tenants are being forced to live in overcrowded, damp and mould affected accommodation.
Responding, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the government could not intervene in every local authority decision, but added that rent schemes should be fair, reflect household incomes and support the long term sustainability of social housing provision in the county.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme