The Department of Housing has met only 35% of its new build targets for 2018 at the end of Q3, a new report has revealed.

The target for new builds is 4,969, with only 1,764 of these homes delivered by the end of Q3.

Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD raised his concern on the figures at the Oireachtas Housing Committee this morning, 12 December.

Deputy Ó Broin said: "It is extremely worrying that the new build delivery of social homes is so far behind schedule for 2018."

He also called on the Department to "stop including voids in the quarterly output report as they are not new additions to the social housing stock" after 605 voids were named in its output figures.

-- Advertisement --

He continued: "Out of the target of 2,000 leased properties only 476 were delivered by Q3 of 2018. The Minister said today he wants to 'tweak' the leasing scheme.

"I would caution against offering any increased incentives to developers to participate in what is the privatisation of the delivery of social homes.

"The Minister should readjust these targets towards the build and acquisition of new homes."

Labour's Housing Spokesperson Jan O'Sullivan also called on the Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy to explain the figures.

She said: "There is no realistic prospect of the full target of social housing being delivered by the end of the year. The Minister must explain to opposition parties, and the country, why less than half of the homes he committed to be built this year have been delivered so far.

"Given the scale of the crisis in front of us now, this really isn't acceptable. 

"It is Minister Murphy who has repeatedly ignored calls for a rent freeze, he has refused to accept that the rent pressure zones are not working, and in the face of every recommendation by the opposition, he says that the primary focus must be on supply. 

"The Minister seems unwilling to tackle rising rents and unable to deliver the supply he says is the best solution."

(CM)