Kildare North Fianna Fáil TD, Frank O’Rourke, has welcomed the signing of an order, by the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Simon Coveney TD, to designate Maynooth as a rent pressure zone.

“When the rent pressure zones were announced last year, I highlighted the need for Maynooth and local areas to be added to the list of rent pressure zones. The Minister’s order takes effect from 30 March 2017 and I am delighted that Maynooth, Clane and Kilcock have now been added to the list, following a quarterly report from the Residential Tenancies Board” said Deputy O’Rourke

“Kildare towns already included in the rent pressure zones include, Naas,  Sallins, Celbridge,  Leixlip, Kildare, Rathangan and Newbridge.” 

“The inclusion of Maynooth, and extending also to Clane and Kilcock, in the rent pressure zones means that rent cannot rise by more than 4 percent a year.” 

“Nationally, rents rose by almost 8 percent in the last quarter of 2016, compared to the previous year and the national average rent of €986  per month is almost the same as it was at the peak in 2006/7 period.” 

“ I know from my weekly clinics the pressure tenants are under when rents rise and we must ensure that political pressure is maintained to secure sustainable and affordable rents,” concluded Deputy O’Rourke