Sinn Fein has slammed the Government's 'Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan' scheme.

Dublin Bay North TD, Denise Mitchell, called for an amendment to Part 5 of the Planning and Development Act to provide for 10% affordable housing in addition to the existing 10% social housing requirement.

She said: "Is this simply a scheme designed to clear the way for people to purchase overpriced homes? Because that will leave us with massive problems further down the tracks."

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She also urged the Government to support a Sinn Féin motion which aims to introduce ambitious affordable rental and purchase schemes aimed at tackling the housing crisis.

"An entire generation now sees home ownership as something that is totally beyond their grasp. They do not believe they will be able to live in the city or towns where their families have lived for generations," she continued.

"While some wait for years on social housings lists, others on modest incomes are told they earn too much to be considered for social housing but nowhere near enough to buy a home in places like Dublin and Cork. They are left in limbo and we need a solution.

"The people who are renting at such enormous prices simply can't save a deposit for a home. So the Government needs to get serious on its 2014 commitment to developing an affordable rental model of housing."

(CD/LM)