Government ‘hiding true scale’ of social housing crisis

The Government has been accused of deliberately hiding the “true scale” of Ireland’s social housing crisis, after it emerged its figures are two years out of date and underestimate real waiting lists by 45%.

Fianna Fáil environment spokesman Barry Cowen made the claim after obtaining figures from every local authority showing 130,008 people are on waiting lists for homes, 40,346 more than Government claims.

The opposition TD alleged the crisis — which he said could be affecting as many as 300,000 people when families and children are taken into account — is being hidden by Environment Minister Alan Kelly, who is basing official responses on figures two years out of date.