SF: Govt must fund social housing schemes

Sinn Féin says the Government must fund a number of social housing schemes in Dublin following the withdrawal of the private developer who was due to complete the projects.

Bernard McNamara, one of the biggest builders in the country, has pulled out of five schemes worth around €900m because of the decline in the property market.

Sinn Féin's Aengus O'Snodaigh says the move is evidence that public-private partnerships don't work and the schemes should be funded by the Government rather than the private sector.

Dublin City Council, meanwhile, says it cannot guarantee that other similar public-private partnerships won't collapse.

The council plans to meet all the property developers involved in social housing and regeneration projects over the coming days to discuss the situation.