Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy has come under severe criticism after publishing apartment guidelines that allow for co-living accommodation.

The '21st-century tenements' consist of large scale single bed occupancy units with shared cooking facilities.

Political parties across Ireland have condemned Minister Murphy's actions, with Labour calling for the removal of the planning regulations.

The party's Housing spokesperson, Jan O'Sullivan TD said: "If the Minister wants to genuinely address his tone-deaf approach to housing he needs to start by withdrawing the planning regulations he introduced that allow for co-living accommodation. These units are being championed by speculators and developers and will result in cramped living conditions and new lows in standards for public housing. These modern tenements are ludicrous and not a solution to the housing crisis.

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"I don't know of anyone who would be excited to live in such a development.


"Higher density living is the future of housing in Ireland, and there will be those who will seek apartments over houses for more long term living, especially in cities. But as we move towards this model of housing we still have to protect living standards. Just because someone is living alone, or in a smaller home, does not mean that they should need to be prepared to accept a one bedroom unit without living space or cooking facilities. 


"We need to solve this crisis by building quality homes in well-serviced communities. That means setting the standard high and meeting it. It is the job of the Minister to set the standard, not lower it at the behest of vested interests."

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald has also hit out at the government over the issue, calling for further immediate action to tackle spiralling rents including a rent freeze and the introduction of tax relief for renters.

(CM/MH)