The Irish Housing Minister has signalled the end of "Dickensian" style living conditions, which could sound the knelling bell for manky bedsits up and down the country.

The preferred accommodation of broke students, struggling artists and frustrated writers, bedsits have formed the backbone of affordable, if not questionable, housing for generations.

But now the traditionally grotty one-room flat, with shared bathroom facilities, looks set to go under new legal minimum requirements for rented accommodation.

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Housing Minister Michael Finneran has affirmed his commitment to abolishing what he referred to as "Dickensian" housing, which are most often occupied by the most vulnerable in society.

The Minister said: "These standards must reflect the general quality of life improvements in Ireland over the last 10 years,

"The mark of a humane society is how it protects its weaker members and I want to introduce a set of standards that will eliminate sub-standard accommodation from the rental market."

However, it will undoubtedly prove a difficult trend to break, after decades of low-income tenants looking to secure cheap shelter.

Bedsits shaped a way of life for many, prior to the country's economic boom of the late nineties, when the slinky Celtic Tiger hauled in sleek apartment blocks and swanky penthouses.

(PR/JM)