Editorial: Soaring Kilkenny rents suggest Government has failed to tackle issue meaningfully

The cost of renting a home is continuing to soar in Kilkenny, with Government measures to attempt to mitigate it falling short of what is required.

There appears to be no end in sight to — or even a slowing down of — increases, with the city among the worst affected. According to the latest Daft report, market rents were on average 13.3% higher in the second quarter of 2024 than a year previously in Kilkenny. That’s well up from Q1 here, which saw market rents on average 6.1% higher than a year previously.

The average listed rent in Kilkenny is now €1,544, up a staggering 54% from the level prevailing when the Covid-19 pandemic occurred just four years ago. That is a shocking figure given that the problem has been highlighted again and again during that time. 

In sum, despite rent controls, pressure zones, and what is contained in the Housing for All programme with more developments due to come on stream, the cost of renting is only going up and up, faster and faster. It suggests the Government has failed to address the problem in a meaningful way.

Availability on the rental market remains minimal to non-existent in places. To search for rental properties in Kilkenny on Daft is to find a largely-barren wasteland, with a few increasingly expensive options.

As the Daft report’s author warns, without new rental supply and a comprehensive understanding of rental supply dynamics, it is likely that future pressure on rents will be upward, further straining affordability for those affected.

PARALYMPIANS
After an enthralling Olympic Games, Kilkenny eyes will be on our two local people in action at the Paralympic Games in Paris in the coming days.

Damien Vereker took to the track on Thursday in the men’s 4,000m individual pursuit. The 44-year-old is an experienced member of the Ireland Para-cycling National Team. Mary Fitzgerald (Gowran) will be out on September 7, competing in the shot-put. She is in great form, and earlier this year broke her own personal best.

The very best of luck to them both as they represent Kilkenny and Ireland, doing us all proud.