The Government is being urged to "up its game" to revitalise vacant properties to help alleviate the housing crisis in Ireland.

Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North West Aindrias Moynihan also slammed the government for failing to put in place the necessary supports and infrastructure to help revitalise small towns and villages.

He made the comments following Fianna Fáil's public meeting on housing held in the Silversprings Hotel in Cork.

He said: "Towns and villages are struggling to survive as the Government is focusing its efforts on bringing jobs to the cities and large urban centres. Take Macroom for example, where there are more than 40 vacant commercial properties on the Main Street alone. There are also 20 vacant dwellings in Ballyvourney and the same story is repeated in towns and villages in Cork and right across the country.

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"It's clear that we need to see the rollout of supports to help refurbish vacant buildings in towns and villages. Fine Gael committed to implementing such a scheme but they are yet to deliver on their promises. Meanwhile more and more businesses are having to pull down the shutters for the final time and families are having to move to large urban centres to look for work.

"Reinvigorating our town centres with shops and upstairs accommodation also offers the Government an opportunity to tackle our housing crisis. Making vacant properties fit to live in will increase the overall amount of accommodation available to people and help alleviate the housing crisis."

(CD)