Fianna Fáil Housing spokesperson Darragh O'Brien TD has urged the government to prioritise capital investment in housing after new private sector housing statistics were discovered last week.

Deputy O'Brien found information which revealed that the State has spent almost €4bn on private sector housing since Fine Gael has come into power.

He said: "The data I have received indicates a major change in Government policy; a shift away from building homes and instead pouring taxpayers money into the private housing sector.

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"It's pretty stark to consider that €2.5bn has been spent since 2011 on providing rent supplement to private landlords across Ireland.

"To put this in context, prior to 2011 the State prioritised capital investment. In 2008, roughly €2.50 was put towards building homes for every €1 spent on short term housing supports. A total €1.5bn was spent on building housing units while providing HAP, RAS and rent supplement cost just €625m."

Mr O'Brien concluded: "The forthcoming Budget must be one that puts housing first and which places an emphasis on building affordable homes up and down this country."

(CM)