The Irish government is failing to tackle the social housing deficit, Fine Gael has claimed.

Housing Spokesman Terence Flanagan said he is not surprised that the numbers applying for state housing has soared.

"This should have come as no surprise to the Fianna Fáil government and it shows that they have singularly failed to tackle the problem of the huge numbers waiting for social housing," said the TD.

Mr Flanagan claimed the government has relied on long-term leasing, which he says will not solve the problems, suggesting such a system only benefits private landlords.

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He conceded: "In tough economic times there is no easy solution to meet social housing needs. It is times like this that new imaginative and innovation solutions should be found."

The TD said a Fine Gael government would work to help those with housing needs to purchase their own home.

Mr Flanagan said his party would increase the cap for the Local Authority Mortgage Scheme to €250,000.

Fine Gael would slash VAT by 3.5%, bringing the average house price down by €10,000.

The part would also review the shared ownership scheme, and look at reforming its assessment criteria.

"Fine Gael in government will also establish a Housing Commission comprising of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Local Authorities and the members from voluntary housing organisations and representative groups of those most in need of social housing," said Mr Flanagan.

He said the task of this commission would be to report within three months of its establishment with policy recommendations on how best to increase social housing supply and further encourage private ownership.

(PR/BMcC)