Government ‘out of touch’ on renting claims Cork senator

A Cork Oireachtas member has accused the Government of being “out of touch” with problems caused by soaring rents.

It comes as new figures show rents in Cork city have increased by 11.8% since this time last year, to an average of €2,241 per month.

The latest Daft.ie quarterly report shows that, nationally, rents have climbed by an average 1.6% in the second quarter of the year, with the monthly average now €2,055.

The report shows that the cost of renting rose for the 18th consecutive quarter, and, year-on year, the average listed price nationally rose by 12.3%.

Labour Party senator Laura Harmon said she is part of a tiny minority of renters in the Oireachtas.

“A recent Irish Times survey showed us that only 3% of Oireachtas members who responded are renters themselves,” she said.

“This says to me that many of those in Government may be out of touch with this problem.”

Ms Harmon said soaring rents are grounds for concern about the future of homeownership.

“High rents are making it impossible for people to leave the rental sector. Entire generations are being locked out of the housing market as a result of these high rents.

“News of increasing rents of this kind in Cork is soul-destroying for anyone saving for a mortgage and for people renting who are trying to make ends meet every week.”

The Labour senator said she is calling on the Government to enact real change to address the matter.

“The housing crisis is a solvable issue, but we need a Government that is willing to protect renters, radically increase housing supply, and a real commitment to bring down costs for first time buyers.

“In the midst of spiralling costs of living, more must be done in Budget 2026 to relieve the pressure on renters and to prevent more people entering homelessness.’’