Fianna Fáil has hit out at the Government for failing to tackle the escalating housing crisis throughout Ireland.

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Environment and Local Government, Barry Cowen TD, said the Ministers have acknowledged the crisis, however they are failing to resolve the issue.

Deputy Cowen said: "Fianna Fáil has been consistent in advocating for provision of adequate housing in recent years. But the only response from Government has been ever more grandiose announcements and PR initiatives. Meanwhile, up to 100,000 people are now on housing waiting lists across the county, and that number continues to grow at an alarming rate.

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"The rental sector in urban areas, and in particular in Dublin, has been in crisis for some time now. This has given rise to the shameful situation whereby more than 1,000 children are living in emergency accommodation in Dublin and beyond.

"There is also a growing cohort of families who cannot qualify for rent allowance, housing assistance payments or rental assistance schemes. At the same time they do not qualify for a mortgage and are not eligible for social housing.

"Instead of reducing the social housing obligation on housing developers from 20% to 10%, the Government should be rolling out a radical and targeted home building programme to provide suitable accommodation for families."

He continued: "The Fianna Fáil Housing Strategy sets out a realistic national roadmap to address the housing crisis. Our proposals include the creation of a home investment bank to finance housing construction in suitable locations of high demand.

"The Government should put party politics to one side and take on board the Fianna Fáil plan to ensure the housing crisis is addressed without any further delay."

(CD/JP)