Keep the Rent Caps

I joined a demonstration outside the Dáil organised by the Social Democrats and our Housing Spokesperson, Rory Hearne TD. The protest was in response to the Government’s decision to remove rent caps for private renters—an alarming move at a time when the average rent in Ireland has reached €2,000 a month.

We heard from a range of speakers—students, trade union representatives, renters, each sharing personal stories that demonstrated the real impact of soaring rents and weak tenant protections. People spoke about eviction notices, rising anxiety over affordability, and the growing sense that renting in Ireland has become completely unsustainable.

Removing rent caps will only make things worse. It’s a gift to landlords and a further blow to tenants who are already struggling. Without some limit on annual increases, more people will be pushed out of their homes or forced to accept poorer conditions just to stay housed.

The demonstration called on the Government to take three urgent steps:

• Save Rent Caps – Reintroduce controls to stop unchecked rent hikes.

• Protect the Tenant-in-Situ Scheme – Keep tenants in their homes by allowing local authorities to step in and buy properties when landlords want to sell.

• Invest in Affordable Housing – Build homes people can actually afford to rent or buy.

These are not radical demands. They are basic, practical steps that could make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.  This demonstration was just one small action—but it’s part of a broader pushback against a housing system that is failing too many. If you’re affected by rising rents or housing insecurity, now’s the time to speak up, get involved, and demand better.