Dublin City Council is being urged to focus on delivering new social homes instead of engaging in plans for regenerating the housing stock.

Labour spokesperson on Community Affairs, Cllr Andrew Montague, made the call and was responding to reports in the Sunday Business Post, as Councillors had not been informed of the plans.

He said: "Significant funds have been committed to new housing projects, and there has been much advance publicity about projects underway, and the land banks that the City Council have available for development. Sanction has also been provided for the recruitment of hundreds of technical staff to help deliver projects, yet progress has been slow.

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"What has been lacking are new homes for those who need it, and it is driving more and more to homelessness.

"As a Councillor in Dublin City Council I knew nothing about these plans, but I know what we do need - and that is the thousands of new homes that have been promised.

"The intentions of the City Council are good - no one doubts the need for regeneration across much of our housing stock, but what is essential at this time is delivery of new homes.

"Properties can be refurbished as they become vacant and thousands of homes have been returned to use in this way. Precinct redevelopment is also important, and ongoing maintenance and renewal should also be prioritised.

"I am concerned that plans to pursue grand regeneration plans are taking up the focus of Council staff when we have a crisis at hand."

(CD/MH)