Taoiseach Leo Varadker has been urged to act over the housing crisis in Ireland.

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD called upon Mr Varadker to take action during a visit to his Dublin West constituency this morning, Friday 06 April.

Speaking outside the Crown Plaza at the Blanchardstown Centre, Ms McDonald said nearly 500 people are on the homeless list in the Taoiseach's constituency.

"We are here in the Taoiseach's Constituency and, like all other areas, there are working families worried about making ends meet," Teachta McDonald said.

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"People are worried about things such as the cost of a child taking sick, about keeping a roof over their heads. In his constituency, nearly 500 people are on the homeless list, and there are 87 families in Dublin 15 who are waiting to be evicted after receiving notices to quit.

"And, shockingly, 364 older citizens, over 60 years of age, are awaiting social housing in Dublin 15.

"The housing crisis is deepening under the watch of Taoiseach Varadkar. He needs to act."

Continuing, Ms McDonald urged Taoiseach Varadker to introduce the Focus Ireland amendment to the Residential Tenancies Act in order to prevent buy-to-let landlords for seeking vacant possession notices to quit when they are selling.

She added: "The Taoiseach must place a formal obligation on Local Councils to assist people 60 days before they become homeless.

"He must increase the purchase of vacant homes. He must increase the targets for social housing and cut the delivery time in half.

"Without real policy change, more and more people will become homeless. This issue can be resolved. The housing crisis can be ended."

(LM/MH)