Fianna Fail has been accused of being "completely out of touch" over the housing crisis in Ireland.

Dublin Bay North TD Denise Mitchell was speaking following the launch of a pre-Budget submission by the Simon Communities.

She also urged the Government to develop more social and affordable housing.

Deputy Mitchell said: "House prices are continuing to soar and are increasingly out of reach for ordinary citizens. It is the same when it comes to rents, and despite some positive moves in terms of rent pressure zones, it is far too easy for landlords to use loopholes to evict tenants and jack-up their prices. The Government need to recognise that we cannot rely on the market to fix this crisis. Similarly, proposals by Fianna Fáil for tax breaks for developers show that party is completely out of touch with the reality of the housing crisis.

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"The only answer to the housing crisis is for the Government to ensure that local authorities have the resources they need to build social and affordable housing.

"The Simon Communities made the point that we are in danger of creating lost generations – second and third generations who know nothing other than homelessness and housing insecurity. That simply cannot be allowed to continue and it is long past time that this Government got their finger out and took decisive action to prevent homelessness. That means providing access to social and affordable housing, and providing support for those in precarious housing situations to ensure they stay in their home and do not face the prospect of homelessness."