Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy has come under criticism following the publication of the latest social housing delivery figures for 2019.

The new Quarter 2 Social Housing Delivery Output report shows the Department is 75% behind schedule as of June.

The 2019 social housing targets consist of 10,000 new units. 6,545 new builds, 1,325 acquired and 2,130 under lease. Halfway through the year, total delivery across these three streams stood at 2,537, with 1,055 new builds, 1,022 acquired and 329 leased.

-- Advertisement --

Sinn Féin representative Eoin Ó Broin has hit out at the figures and expressed real concern that this year's targets will not be met.

"These figures mean that just 25% of the 10,000 unit target has been reached midway through the year," Deputy Ó Broin said.

"The news is even worse when you look at the delivery of new builds, which are the largest element of the delivery programme, this is at just 15% of target 

"The government has only managed to reach 15% of its leasing target.

"There is now a real question mark over whether the 10,000 units will be delivered this year especially in terms of the newly built homes.

"Given the targets were modest in the first place, the Minister for Housing has some explaining to do as regards the progress of delivery for 2019."

(CM/JG)