The National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) has been called to use the land it holds in Co Wicklow to develop new houses on.

Sinn Fein made the call after it was revealed 36 properties out of 6,637 nationwide were identified as NAMA properties in the area.

Spokesperson for Social Protection John Brady TD, said: "Out of these 36 properties, only seven have been transferred to the local authority to provide homes for people on the housing waiting list. Today, there are over three thousand people on the housing waiting list at Wicklow County Council. Seven houses being provided doesn't even scratch the surface.

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"It must be acknowledged that relying on NAMA to provide properties in Wicklow is simply not an option.

"While, NAMA do not hold a significant number of properties in Wicklow and certainly, nowhere near the numbers needed, they do own substantial land parcels in the county. These land parcels need to looked at for their suitability to be developed if we are to provide homes for the three thousand plus on the housing waiting list."

(CD/MH)