Some Westmeath council tenants 'paying more than in Dublin'

Some Westmeath County Council tenants are reeling from rent hikes of as much as €60 per week – among them, a number of people who are in receipt of the carers allowance.

“People are saying that we're becoming nearly the most expensive landlord out there with the rate rents keep increasing in this local authority,” Cllr David Jones declared as he raised the issue at the January monthly meeting of Westmeath County Council, while Athlone's Cllr Paul Hogan cited figures showing rents for some local authority tenants in Westmeath are more expensive than for those in Dublin.

It has emerged that rents may rise even more dramatically for some tenants next year, since a €60 per week cap, which was in place when this year’s rents were being calculated, will not be in place for 2027.

Causing greatest anger to councillors was the fact that, in Westmeath, carers allowance is not disregarded in the means testing formula that is used to determine local authority tenants’ rents.

Cllr Jones called for the carers allowance to be disregarded, and backing the call, Cllr Ken Glynn said that this was a measure for which both he and Cllr Paul Hogan had pushed heavily - but unsuccessfully - at budget time.

Cllr Hogan recalled being told at budget time that “the regulations are the regulations”, and if the council was to disregard a certain aspect, the regulations would have to change.

“That, in fact, was not the case,” he said, citing a Meath County Council decision to disregard the carers' allowance in terms of their differential rent scheme.

Cllr Hogan said his calculations showed that a single parent with two children on an income of €500 per week in Westmeath was paying €10 per week more than a Dublin City Council tenant in a similar situation; while on an income of €700 a week, the difference was €18 per week – which amounts to €936 per year.

He went on to say he had been “inundated” with calls over the rent hikes.

“I had somebody contact me recently, and their rent has increased by €60 to €216 a week. I have another person who received half carers, and their rent has increased from €85 to €108,” Cllr Hogan stated.

“We need to review income disregards in terms of carers allowance. I think that needs to be on an agenda for a full discussion.”

Cllr Vinny McCormack also said he was inundated with calls over the hikes and Cllr Johnnie Penrose described it as “a scandal” that the carers’ allowance forms part of the income when means testing is done, while Cllr Denis Leonard said he understood that carers are saving the State €2 billion a year.

Responding, council CEO Barry Kehoe said the local authority carries out an assessment of people's income each year, and based on their income, the council disregards the first €75 of it – or €115 if it’s a couple – and the rent is calculated then at 22 per cent of the remaining income.

He confirmed that the carers’ allowance is considered as household income, but said this was an aspect that could be discussed over the course of the year.

Director of Services for housing, Jackie Finney, said where councillors had concerns over rents, they could email housingrents@westmeathcoco.ie. She said housing staff were engaging with council members and with individuals querying the rent hike demands.

Ms Finney confirmed to Cllr Penrose that there had been a rent increase cap for 2026 of €60 per week – but said from next year, there will be no cap on the increase, although there is a maximum rent figure. Cllr Jones asked if this meant a local authority tenant could face a rent increase next year of €200 per week if their income has increased.

Responding, Mr Kehoe stated that the council does not “increase” the rent, but “adjusts” it based on income – either up or down.

“It's a differential scheme, just to make that clear, and a person's rent goes up because their income increases, and that's the only reason, so it's a percentage of their income,” he said.