The "most vulnerable people" in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown will see an annual increase of €104 in social housing rents after the county council budget meeting earlier this week.
Social housing tenants with a second income in the household will also see an increase of €2 euro per week on their rent, say the Council. 3,500 tenants in the area will be affected, and Labour Councillor Peter O’Brien called it an “unnecessary burden” for people on welfare payments and old-age pensioners, who would be targeted by the increase.
“It’s a small percentage, but it’s a small percentage for a lot of unnecessary grief for vulnerable people,” he said. The motion was put forward by Independents and the Social Democrats during Tuesday's budget meeting.
“It was supported by the Social Democrats, the Independents and Fine Gael with the Green Party abstaining from it, which led to the vote being passed. We in the Labour party could not support the budget,” said Cllr O’Brien, adding that it was unfair when, only last month, homeowners benefitted to the tune of up to €540 with the Local Property Tax cut.
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The Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County 2023 Budget provides for over €236.5 million in expenditure on service provision. “Here at dlr, we are committed to providing the very best possible service delivery, to ensure that our county continues through 2023 to be attractive, inclusive and accessible for all,” said Chief Executive Frank Curran.
“I am happy that we could provide a budget to maintain most services at a high level despite a challenging economic climate."
"This additional income will be used to pay for energy efficiency works on Council owned properties, such as window and door replacement, insulation and heating system upgrades," they added. Budget 2023 will also see a business support grant for the SMEs that had increases in commercial rates, a road maintenance grant, and increased community grants for arts and culture.
Other areas which saw an increase were LEO grants, disability summer camps, events, tourism, public WI-FI, and digital initiatives. “I think it has been a progressive budget other than [the social housing rent increase],” Cllr O’Brien said.
“There were some great things in this budget that should be celebrated - but unfortunately this taints it for me.”
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