Fianna Fail has slammed Housing Minister Simon Coveney for refusing to consider a new Affordable Housing Purchase Scheme.

Housing Spokesperson Barry Cowen TD said the housing crisis needs a step change in energy and commitment from Government.

He said: "Publicly, Minister Coveney has said that he understands and is supportive on this issue, but when we probed this commitment through Parliamentary Questions and asked what plan he has to introduce a scheme to help people in this category, his response was simple and unambiguous – he has no such plans.

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"There has been too much focus on presentation for the media and photocalls for the minister. It is a multi-pronged problem that requires a multi-pronged response – confirmation from Mr Coveney that he has no plans to introduce any Affordable Housing Purchase Scheme initiatives is deeply disappointing and in my view undermines the Government's strategy."

(CD/LM)