Mayo rental market crisis 'hits breaking point' for families

"Rents in Mayo are now averaging roughly €1,450 a month for a three-bed, up about 8.2% in a single year. It's a disaster for working families."

That's according to Castlebar independent Councillor Harry Barrett.

Barrett continued: "For ordinary working people, this isn’t just a statistic.

"It’s young couples stuck in childhood bedrooms, it’s families putting off having kids, and it’s hard-working locals feeling like they’ll never afford a place to call their own in this county.

"I’m hearing from young people who want nothing more than a simple Irish dream , move out, build a life, raise a family.

"Instead they’re choosing between crippling rent, emigration or giving up on ever owning a home. That’s not a housing system, that’s a breaking point for our community.

"I will be raising this urgently at Mayo County Council and pushing for fast delivery of affordable homes, proper renter supports and activation of serviced land for housing to keep our young people living and giving them a future here in Mayo."