Fianna Fáil's Barry Cowen TD has slammed the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for the lack of progress on the affordable housing fund.

Mr Cowen said: "In his budget speech on 10 October 2017 Minister Donohoe committed to establishing a Home Building Finance Ireland fund to help provide affordable housing. This €750m fund was a key demand made by Fianna Fáil in the run up to the budget.

"However we're now approaching June 2018 and we are still waiting for this fund to be established."

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Deputy Cowen made these comments after Minister Paschal Donohue appeared to brush aside questions on the housing crisis on national radio earlier today, 23 May.

Mr Donohue ensured recently that the legislation of the fund will be published in the coming weeks but no exact date has been set.

Mr Cowen responded to the assurances, saying: "It's ominous that this legislation hasn't been published yet and that the Minister can't even give a firm date for its unveiling. Similarly, Minister Donohoe says he is hopeful that the legislation can be passed by the summer recess. His language doesn't inspire much confidence."

He continued: "The housing crisis is having a detrimental impact on the lives of people right across Ireland yet Fine Gael continue to put the issue on the backburner."

(CM/MH)