Fianna Fail has hit out at the Government for failing to make "very little progress" on the housing crisis throughout Ireland.

Spokesperson on Housing Barry Cowen TD said homelessness is continuing to increase at an alarming rate.

He said: "Just last week we had a change in Minister at the Department of Housing which will undoubtedly result in a delay in implementing key policies to help tackle this crisis.

"Fianna Fáil has put forward many constructive ideas to address the national housing crisis. More urgency has to be applied to actually delivering homes for citizen’s right across the country. The Government needs to accelerate the construction of social, affordable and private housing. It should implement initiatives to help bring some of the 260,000 vacant properties in the State back into use, including the refurbishment of ‘above shop’ units in towns and cities.

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"The Government also needs to launch an ambitious social housing construction programme. In the past six years the State has built just 4,000 social houses, which is fewer than what was built in almost every single year from 1994 to 2009. This has led to people being stuck on social housing waiting lists for years on end. Traditionally the State, through Local Authorities, has acted as the largest supplier of housing. We need to return to this model to ensure we have a functioning housing market in the years ahead which can provide for all people in our society.

"There are a number of immediate steps that Fine Gael could take to alleviate the housing crisis. The most fundamental barriers that are holding back the supply of more affordable housing must be dealt with. There should be greater sanctions on those who horde land and there should be a limited three year VAT reduction on residential construction. Development levies should also be reduced alongside excessive planning fees."

(CD/MH)