Dublin City Council (DCC) has admitted it built only 19 homes in the city last year.

Sinn Féin's Dessie Ellis described the news as "outrageous".

The council also admitted that only 700 new units will be available through leases, refurbishment, acquisition or construction.

Deputy Ellis said: "It is expected that we will see an increase on that in 2016 but with fewer voids being refurbished, fewer homes coming available under Part V and not major purchases the council is set to fail miserably in reaching previously set targets. This is not the fault of the council though - they are fighting with one hand tied behind their back due to the policies of the outgoing government which prioritised developers and the private market over the needs of people without a home.

-- Advertisement --

"The Department of Environment must fast track the delivery of funding and work with councils to build, buy and refurbish many more houses that currently expected. This is absolutely possible if the political will is there. Dublin city has land zoned for housing which could easily provide homes for every person on its waiting list.

"We also need to reverse the changes to Part V of the planning act which halved the social responsibility of developers and allowed developers to rent properties rather than provide them for sale at cost price. All new developments of five or more units should provide 20% social and affordable housing."

(CD/MH)