Fianna Fáil has slammed Kildare County Council over its plans to build only 70 new homes between now and 2017.

The party said the council is failing to deliver much needed homes for the community.

Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare South Seán Ó Fearghaíl said: "I recently raised the Governments social housing plans for Kildare in the Dáil with Minister for Environment and Local Government Alan Kelly. He confirmed to me that Kildare County Council plans on acquiring just 70 social housing units between now and 2017.

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"This figure is just a drop in the ocean when you consider the true extent of the housing crisis in Kildare. There are currently 6,000 people on waiting lists in the county, and the figure is rising by the day. To make matters worse, there are 250 people classified as homeless in Kildare. This figure includes many families who have to rely on emergency accommodation on a daily basis.

"The housing crisis is forcing families to put their entire lives on hold as they face an uncertain future with rising rents and a dwindling housing supply. The true legacy of this Government will be its failure to deal with this crisis. Fine Gael and Labour say they are committed to tackling the crisis, but actions speak louder than words. They have systematically cut the funding available for social housing and have allowed the crisis to escalate each year."

(CD)