When this scheme was first proposed in December Fianna Fáil were supportive in theory however we did feel it was essential the Greater Dublin area and other urban zones should be covered. In particular I advocated strongly for Kildare North given the massive housing and rental crisis the constituency faces” said Deputy Lawless.

I am pleased that the pressure has led to these towns now being included as Naas, Sallins, Celbridge and Leixlip are all now certainly experiencing serious rental pressures – all major commuter towns also. However I am disappointed at the omission of Maynooth, Clane and Kill and will continue to make the case for these. Clane in particular has experienced major rent increases in recent years and Maynooth has the added complication of the student demand each autumn.

This is a necessary and welcome extension of the rent pressure scheme but ultimately supply side measures are the only way to solve the housing and rental crisis. We need new homes, both social and private, we need lots of them and we need them as soon as possible