Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Dessie Ellis TD has called on the government to set ambitious targets for new homes built in the remaining two years of its term.

He made his comments following an announcement by the Housing Agency that 80,000 houses are needed over the next five years, with a massive 37,600 needed in Dublin alone.

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Deputy Ellis said: "We already knew that housing need is very high across the state and especially in Dublin.

"There are nearly 90,000 people on Local Authority waiting lists, a further 90,000 having rent subsidised and 5,000 in homelessness. Emergency accommodation is bursting at the seams.

"The private market, as in during the 'boom' years, is still failing to deliver enough housing and many people previously involved in construction now profit from exorbitant rents, government subsidy and social leasing schemes.

"We need to build social housing to curb need, stabilise rents and ensure decent living standards for people."

(CD)