Deputy Ó Broin has hit out at local authorities after figures released by the Department of Housing showed that only 13% of real social homes delivered in 2017 were built by local authorities.

According to the statistics only 780 of the 6,000 homes delivered were built by local authorities. This number includes standard acquisitions and voids.

Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin said: "Alarm bells should be ringing in the Department of Housing. It is not acceptable that in the midst of a severe housing shortage that local authorities are not building any homes, some in areas of high demand."

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Mr Ó Broin also highlighted that the local authorities of South Dublin, Wicklow, Leitrim, Laois, Galway City, and Clare built no social homes last year.

He added: "Local authorities are meant to be leading the delivery of social homes. They have the land and as the Department of Housing keeps stating funding is not an issue."

He concluded by urging Minister Murphy to identify why the local authorities are moving at a "snail's pace".

(CM/MH)