Sinn Féin has hit out at the government over its housing strategy.

Housing spokesperson Dessie Ellis said it is an "exercise in spin" and the "cost of homelessness in both financial and human terms will only grow as tenants struggle to pay ever increasing rates".

Mr Ellis said: "€3.8 billion was promised over 6 years, amounting to a modest increase in the annual budget. This figure was announced, re-announced, and repackaged to generate as much confusion in the public and as many column inches as possible. Even the Taoiseach regularly misstates the planned spend, confused by his own Ministers disinformation.

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"The budget yesterday was a continuation of this kind of spin over substance. More focus on private profit over the public provision of a housing solution.

"That's not just my opinion; it is the reasoned opinion of all involved who have grasped the nature of the crisis."

(CD/LM)