Laois renters can’t take any more says local Senator

Impact of Government’s Rent Hike Bill described as ‘devastating’ by Senator McCormack

Sinn Féin Senator for Laois, Maria McCormack, has said today’s Daft.ie report exposes the devastating impact of Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael’s Rent Hike Bill as rents surge to record highs and evictions are at the highest level since the famine. 

The latest figures show rents are increasing at the fastest rate ever recorded, with rents in Leinster, outside Dublin, surging by a staggering 4.1% in the first quarter of 2026, the largest quarterly gain on record.

McCormack said the lives of families, workers, students and young people in Laois have been turned upside down because the Government chose to prioritise the interests of big landlords and vulture funds, while throwing renters to the wolves. 

Senator McCormack said: 

“Figures released today reveal that rents in Leinster (outside Dublin) rose by 4.1% in the first three months of this year.

“A typical two-bed house in Laois is now costing over €1,706 a year. That’s a staggering 34% increase on last year.

“Ordinary families and young people hoping to build a future in Laois cannot afford this in their wildest dreams.

“Across the state, rents jumped by 4.4% between December and March, the sharpest increase on record. 

“This comes off the back of confirmation that over 7000 eviction notices were issued across the country, in the first three months of the year alone.  A rise of 50%

“These figures lay bare the devastating consequences of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s Rent Hike Bill – record rents, record evictions, families with nowhere to go, and young people forced to choose between paying crippling rents, moving back in with their families, or emigrating.

“Sinn Féin warned Government that this would happen. We urged them not to do this. 

“They did not listen. They were intent on lining the pockets of big landlords, big developers, and vulture funds – and utterly indifferent to the impact for renters, for families, for ordinary people.

“They knowingly and willingly pushed ahead, and now renters are paying the price. 

“These figures are a warning that renters in Laois could face even worse increases in the months ahead.

“The government must stop punishing renters.  They need to cut rents, ban rent increases, ban no-fault evictions, and dramatically ramp up the delivery of social and genuinely affordable homes.  

“Laois renters cannot take any more.”