Budget 2023: Tax credit does not go far enough, renter says

By Cate McCurry, PA

Renters will not see a big benefit in receiving tax credit as rents are too high and people are struggling to find properties, a renter has said.

Renters are to receive a tax credit worth €500 euro for 2023 as announced in Tuesday’s budget.

However, Niamh Crowley, a renter in Co Carlow, said it is a fraction of what people pay every month in rent.

The childcare worker, who is originally from Dublin, had to move out of the city and away from family and friends as she could not afford to pay rent on a Dublin property.

The 29-year-old had been living with her mother but wanted independence and to find a property on her own.

Reacting to the Government’s decision to give renters a tax credit, Ms Crowley said: “The tax credit is not enough, it might help some people but it also does nothing for people who cannot find somewhere to rent.

“A couple of hundred euro is a fraction of what we are paying.

“Moving to Carlow was my only option if I wanted to move out from my mum’s. I also found it difficult to get a property in Carlow and I only got somewhere through knowing people locally.

“My rent now is much cheaper than Dublin but I’m very lucky in the house I got. The last place I got in Carlow was quite high and I had to leave as it was not affordable.

“It’s not great to live away from everybody. I find that I am travelling home every weekend to Dublin to see family and friends as I don’t know that many people here and I am paying so much money on petrol it’s ridiculous.

“It’s hard as I’m 29 and I want to move on to the next stage of my life and settle down but I don’t want to settle down in Carlow.

“I feel like I am building up this base here then when I finally find something I will have to leave all this and start again.

“I am starting to build friendships here and meet people in the community but it’s not my plan to be here forever, but I feel like it’s going to continue like this forever.

“I know I’m not going to live right by all my friends in Dublin, that’s understandable. But it is hard to be so far away from my whole family. I can’t stop in with my man and have a cup of tea.

“I’m on an OK wage now but not anywhere close to anyone I know. I’ve 10 years’ experience and a degree in childcare and I still get paid less than many other jobs.

“I always wanted to do childcare and I worked hard in college to get me through it.”

She welcomed the decision to give €600 towards householders’ energy bills.

“The €600 energy credit will help a bit. I am used to living on a significantly lower wage than I am on so I am used to spending less,” she added.

“I find that buying for one person costs the same as buying for two.”