A Fingal TD has said affordable housing provided by local authorities are not serving their purpose.

Terence Flanagan, of Fine Gael, said first time buyers were 'abandoning' the current stock, as it no longer seemed 'affordable'.

He claimed Freedom of Information documents revealed there was a high rejection rate of properties in the Fingal area.

"In 2008 there were 6,014 offers made to applicants to view properties. However, only 18% decided to view these properties," he said.

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Mr Flanagan called on the council to reexamine its pricing to reflect current market value.

However, Fingal County Council has insisted it prices are set well below current market values.

"In the Swords area for example, we have just held very successful viewings for two and three-bedroom houses with almost all available properties selling out in one viewing," said a spokesman.

The council also said it expected to hold viewings of houses in Rush and Garristown and launch a new development of apartments at Hamilton in Balbriggan shortly.

A spokesman denied that availability was a lottery system.

"All approved applicants are listed based on the date of approval, and viewings and properties are only offered on the basis of an applicant's position on the affordable list," said the official.

(PR/JM)