Labour is calling on the Government to accept the party's motion to extend the eviction ban in Ireland.

Labour leader and housing spokesperson Ivana Bacik said government is failing to reduce rents for people or make homeownership a possibility.

Deputy Bacik said: "Government is hell bent on ignoring the crisis hard working renters are experiencing when it comes to affordability and security in the rental market.

"Wages have not increased 13.7% in the past year, yet landlords are asking hard working people to cough up even more of their income just to keep a roof over their head.

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"According to Daft.ie, the average cost of rent in Ireland is €1,733 per month. After tax, the take-home pay for a full time worker on the minimum wage now stands at just €1,724 per month. That is a stark disparity.

"Minister O'Brien did not even turn up for a Labour Party motion on Emergency Housing Measures last week, yet tomorrow, Government will submit a countermotion to Labour’s calls for an eviction ban, enhanced focus on the tenant in situ scheme and to revise upwards Housing for All targes to 50,000 annually. These are all modest asks in the context of a housing disaster that touches every person in Ireland.

"Building enough houses to deal with the pressure of demand will take time which is why Labour has called for the extension of the eviction ban and greater rights for renters to offer them protection and certainty.

"I am urging Government to change tack and adopt Labour’s proposals. The right to housing is fundamental."