Micheál Martin says modular housing may be better than 'hotel room syndrome'

The Fianna Fáil leader says he'll adopt a wait and see approach on whether prefab housing is a solution to the homeless crisis.

Micheál Martin says the coalition stands indicted on its approach to housing, which he says is a scandal.

Dublin councillors have today been shown 'modular housing' which can be built in a matter of weeks.

Mr Martin says they may be a better solution to hotel rooms currently used by local authorities: "We had Simon in with us some months ago at the parliamentary party meeting and one of the Simon representatives said to us, 'there will be a child fatality in terms of hotels and the logistics of children coming into hotels and leaving and coming back in if something isn't done'.

"So I have to weigh that up and I think I would defer to those who are going to view these facilities, they may be better actually, than the hotel room syndrome."

Meanwhile, the National spokesperson with the Simon Communities of Ireland, says the move is a good proposal.

However, Niamh Randall, says the solution to homelessness is a permanent home.

"So this is another temporary solution, it's far better, it's so much better than families living in one hotel room trying to cook, trying to play, trying to do homework in one hotel room, so it absolutely is a good suggestion."