'Rent Pressure Zone changes are just a Band-Aid and won't solve the housing crisis,' says IT worker whose one-bed apartment in Cork costs 1,100 a month

Fionn Kelleher, an IT worker in Cork, pays €1,100 for a one-bedroom apartment. He appreciates the extension of Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) but believes they merely patch up the housing crisis. Kelleher argues that better investment in public housing and repurposing derelict homes are crucial. He voices frustration over the exclusion of new-build apartments from RPZs, perceiving it as aligning with landlords' interests. After years of searching for rental housing, he remains skeptical about future improvements for renters in a challenging environment.

"They're just a Band-Aid. It's not going to solve the housing crisis. It's not really great for renters still, but it's better than nothing."

Read at Irish Independent