Sinn Féin is calling for an urgent meeting with the Minister for Social Development over the development of social homes in rural areas.

MLA Oliver McMullan said he is "extremely worried" for people looking for homes in rural areas throughout Ireland.

According to figures, less than 6% of social housing built in the last year were in these areas.

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Mr McMullan said: "In response to a written question Minister Mervyn Storey it was revealed that in the last financial year of 2013 homes built only 119 were built in rural areas.

"The lack of social housing, coupled with the planning regulations for building private housing, is hampering the ability of rural dwellers to find a home.

"People who live in rural areas deserve the same opportunities as those in urban areas and this includes the right to be housed close to their families so more land needs to be zoned for housing in rural area."

(CD/LM)