The Government needs to release "serious" funding for social housing in Co Cork, according to Sinn Fein Cllr Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire.

He made the call after the Choice Based Lettings Scheme website launched in the Cork City Council area.

Cllr Ó Laoghaire said: "I have been speaking to a number of constituents today who expressed their frustration after accessing the website. One constituent informed me that she signed in to the website, and only one property was available under this scheme in the areas she has on file.

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"The reality is that the Houses are not there to meet Housing need within the Councils stock. The Government needs to release serious funding, significantly above what was committed in the Budget, to deliver social housing in crisis areas such as greater Cork, and to stop relying on subsidising the Private Rented Sector to meet housing need. That simply will not do.

"A major house building programme is needed in the City, properly so called, and in the Metropolitan area. There is also a need for the State to urge Nama to take a more active role in bringing idle houses into use as social housing."

(CD/LM)