Taoiseach confirms that Gov housing targets are too low

• Current housing targets now clearly are grossly inadequate
• We need to see provision for 1 million homes in 10 years

Labour Leader Ivana Bacik TD has today called for more ambition from Government to build more houses and address the housing crisis.

Deputy Bacik said.
"We are in a housing crisis which has been exacerbated by Government inaction. It is now clear that the Government lacks the necessary ambition to build enough homes.

“We know the Government's own housing targets of 33,000 new builds each year is simply not enough. Today An Taoiseach admitted in the Dail, in response to a question that I asked him, that the Government will be publishing revised and increased housing targets early next year. This amounts to a clear admission that current Government targets are completely inadequate.

“Labour is ambitious for housing. We believe that the State can and must deliver 50,000 new builds and 50,000 refurbished homes per year for the next decade in order to meet the real level of housing need.

“Ireland is facing a chronic housing crisis that has been exacerbated by government inaction. We need more ambition. Homelessness is at record levels. People are queuing down the streets for rooms to rent, being priced out of buying a home and paying nearly half their wages on rent.

“We need to build more houses for all those stuck in the rental trap, for the thousands of adults stuck living in their childhood bedrooms, and for those stuck in emergency accommodation.”