GALWAY CAMPAIGN AGAINST RENT THRESHOLDS RAISED IN SEANAD

Date Published: 07-Jun-2012

The plight of a Galway couple who fear they may face eviction due to new lower rent supplement thresholds has been raised in the Seanad.

It comes as a newly formed campaign group “Reverse the Rent Cap” Galway is due to hold a second public meeting in the city this evening.

The new maximum rent limits for social welfare recipients were introduced at the beginning of the year.

The rental values are calculated in line with available market data.

Raising the matter in the Seanad this week, Galway Senator Trevor O’Clochartaigh told the chamber that families are struggling to renegotiate rents with landlords to meet the new terms.

Responding on behalf of the Social Protection Minister Joan Burton, Minister of State John Perry said rent supplement is intended as a short term support.

He advised that urgent cases can be addressed through an appeals process.

The “Reverse the Rent Cap” city meeting gets underway at 8 this evening in the Harbour Hotel.