The Minister for Finance is being urged to Minister sign a Ministerial order requesting NAMA to provide 10,000 units to the state for social housing.

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for Environment and Local Government Barry Cowen said this week's Dáil Private Members Business represents the last chance for Fine Gael and Labour to deal with the housing emergency.

There are over 1,600 children and up to 780 families currently living in emergency accommodation in Ireland.

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Deputy Cowen said: "This housing emergency is having a detrimental impact on families. It is forcing people out of communities and away from their friends and family. Children are particularly affected as they are forced to change school on a regular basis. Despite this the Government has not prioritised resources to deal with homelessness. The housing emergency didn't even feature as an issue at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis.

"This week Fianna Fáil is offering the Government one last chance to deal with this emergency. Currently the Government has only allocated a small portion of the NAMA housing stock for use by the state. In contrast the Dáil motion we have tabled will ensure NAMA is forced to pull out all the stops to address the spiralling housing waiting lists."

(CD/LM)