Local people seeking accommodation should be allowed to avail of the same exemption offered to Ukrainians and pay landlords an €850 tax-free sum per month, Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae has insisted.
He said the least they deserve the same leeway and the same allowance.
“These are local people. They are not all Irish. There are people living here from many other countries for 20 years or more and they are on the housing list as well.
“To help all of them, the Government must create a level playing pitch and give the same allowance to them as it is giving to Ukrainians,” he said.
The Independent TD said many property owners would avail of it because the rules are very different and the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) is not involved.
“The RTB is the cause of many house owners not renting out their properties. When the RTB gets involved, your house is not your own anymore.
“It is different with the Ukraine scheme and I am asking the Government to adapt it and use it,” the Independent general election candidate said.
He maintained the Government would be able to utilise a multitude of houses in many different areas in a very short time because the properties are there and they do not have to be built. Many of them are perfectly good houses.
Deputy Healy-Rae said many people are on the housing waiting list for up to 15 years, which is absolutely ridiculous.
“We are telling people with young families when they go on the housing list in Killarney, east Kerry, Kenmare or Killorglin that they will probably have to wait 10 years before they are housed by the local authority.
“I am asking the Government to be fair. All we are asking in every case is for the Government to treat people fairly and for those who have been on the housing list for many years are not getting a fair crack of the whip,” he said.
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