Only 30% of Ireland's social housing need will be built under the Rebuilding Ireland initiative, according to Sinn Féin.

The party's housing spokesperson, Eoin Ó Broin TD, said the Government's flagship housebuilding programme is set to deliver 40,000 real social homes over six years.

However, Deputy Ó Broin said real social housing need currently stands at over 140,000 households when residennts in short term RAS and HAP tenancies are added to the those on council lists.

"Rebuilding Ireland plans to deliver just 40,000 real social homes over six years," he said.

"This will meet just 30% of the current real need. Given that need is likely to increase in the years ahead this target is simply not enough."

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Continuing, Deputy Ó Broin revealed social homes output this year is set to be less than that seen in 2017.

"To date the pace of social housing delivery has been glacial," he said.

"In 2016 just 4,922 real social homes were delivered. Last year the figure rose to 6297. However this year Government plans to fund just 5,869 real social houses, less than last years output.

"This is despite the cross party special Dáil Committee on Housing and Homelessness recommending that at least 10,000 units owned by local authorities and approved housing bodies. were required annually."

Deputy Ó Broin also raised concerns that out of the nearly 6,000 real social homes delivered last year, only 780 of these were delivered by councils.

"The Government targets are too low, capital investment is simply not enough and the pace of delivery is too slow," he said.

"If Budget 2019 is to be a housing budget then capital investment in social and affordable housing must double to ensure an adequate supply of public homes."

(LM)