Delivery of social and affordable homes at a standstill because of Government row

Apart from the fall-out in stopping homes being built, the impasse is, according to sources in the industry, damaging the relationship between developers and Approved Housing Bodies. File picture: Denis Minihane

The construction of hundreds of social and affordable homes has been brought to a virtual standstill for the last five months because of a row within Government, the Irish Examiner has learned. 

Amid an ongoing housing crisis, a range of sources has confirmed the Department of Housing has refused to sign off on cost-rental schemes since last August in a move that will impact on completion targets for homes for the next two years.