Sinn Féin has called on Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy to roll out affordable cost rental options to help solve the "dysfunctional" market.

The party's Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin hit out at Minister Murphy over his "co-living" dream, condemning the concept as having "no place" in the current market.

This comes after the Minister claimed younger workers should be "excited about paying less rent for less space".

Deputy Ó Broin said: "So called 'Co-living' is not a solution to the rental crisis. It is a step on the road to the tenements of the future.

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"The Minister's comments about young people having to make sacrifices in terms of rental accommodation are quite frankly bizarre.

'Young people are facing rising costs for rents, insurance, and education and the Minister's patronising comments were not helpful."

He continued: "Since he took up the role as Minister for Housing, Minister Murphy has reduced apartment standards and removed height restrictions, all so developers can maximise profit by building cramped living spaces. 

"The Minister must also stop promoting this as a cheaper alternative to the traditional house share. It is not. Some of the co-living developments will command rents of up to €1,300 per month.

"Minister Murphy's time would be better spent rolling out affordable cost rental.

"He should also be honest about introducing indefinite leases. These proposals were brought forward many times by opposition parties and were roundly rejected by both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

"The so called 'co-living' concept has no place in our current dysfunctional rental market."

(CM/JG)