Sinn Féin has called on the government to ensure that the alternative accommodation being offered to homeless people in Apollo House in Dublin is "suitable and up to standard".

Deputy Leader Mary Lou McDonald said promises were made to the people who are currently residing in Apollo House and those promises must be upheld.

She said: "The idea of putting people out on the street is incomprehensible particularly with the cold snap on the way.

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"The government needs to instigate a necessary shift in policy to deal with the housing and homelessness crisis currently enveloping the state. Sinn Féin has stated time and time again that Minister Coveney must be more ambitious in his social housing building programme.

"The cross party Dáil committee on Housing and Homelessness recommended that a minimum of 10,000 new real social units should to be delivered on an annual basis.

"We also need Minister Noonan to make a commitment to use his powers to direct NAMA to provide residences and emergency accommodation to all those in need. Minister Coveney should also introduce real rent certainty and tenancy protection measures for families facing eviction in buy-to-let properties."

(CD/JP)