The number of homes vacant in south Dublin is "unacceptable", according to Sinn Fein.

There are currently almost 4,000 homes vacant across South Dublin County Council (SDCC), according to new CSO census figures.

Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD said it is "unacceptable" as over 200 households in the county are homeless.

Deputy Ó Broin said: In the SDCC area, there are 3,923 vacant properties. While the rate of vacancy in south Dublin is the lowest in the state it is still a shocking figure. There are more than 200 homeless families in the county. There are 9,000 families on the Council waiting list. Private sector rents remain unacceptably high and affordable housing is a dream for many.

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"The Housing Agency Vacant Homes Paper published in May this year recommended a number of measures to incentivise and force owners to bring these units back into use. These measures include refurbishment grants, compulsory purchase orders and a vacant property tax.

"The Report of the Dáil Housing and Homelessness Committee endorsed the recommendations made by Housing Agency. This included recommending that the Government should develop an overarching two year strategy which would include each local authority performing an audit and producing and empty homes strategy with clear aims and objectives.

"Finding ways to return as many of these vacant properties as possible back into use would make a dent in the current severe housing deficit. The properties could be used to get families out of emergency accommodation and off the housing list."

(CD/MH)