Fine Gael and Labour's failure to invest in housing has given rise to the crisis in Ireland, according to Fianna Fáil spokesperson for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Dara Calleary.

Mr Calleary has called on the parties not to neglect the housing crisis in the wake of the General Election and said "urgent action" is needed.

He said: "Both parties remain in Government and they have a responsibility to ensure that the state is doing all it can to help people who have become homeless, and to assist families at risk of losing their home.

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"We can't afford to take our eye off the ball while we wait for a new Government to be formed. The latest figures show that more families became homeless in Dublin last month than in any previous month on record. Over 1,600 children remain in emergency accommodation while more and more families are presenting themselves to homelessness services each week.

"Securing home ownership and tackling homelessness is a key priority for Fianna Fáil in Government."

(CD/LM)