The Irish government has reached 35% of its 2021 social housing target, a new report has revealed.

Figures of the Q3 social housing figures for 2021 revealed 3,611 of 10,300 homes have been delivered so far this year. The report also showed a "steady dependency" on the private rented sector to deliver social homes, with the government reaching 73% of its delivery target of leased homes via schemes like RAS and HAP.

Sinn Féin representative Eoin Ó Broin TD has hit out at the new figures and expressed deep concern at the data.

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Deputy Ó Broin said: "The failure of this government in terms of social housing construction is stark when you compare it to how the private residential construction sector has rebounded this year.

"The low level of delivery of permanent social homes, coupled with the rise in the number of single property landlords leaving the market due to their properties exiting negative equity, is contributing to the rising trend in homelessness.

"It is clear that there are barriers to the large-scale delivery of social housing by local authorities. 

"Covid-19 has been a factor. However, the public spending code rules enforced by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the four stage approvals process has severely hampered the ability of local authorities to press on with the construction of new homes.

"Until these issues are urgently reformed the government will struggle to meet its modest real social housing delivery targets."