Govt defends record on social and affordable housing
Junior Minister Noel Ahern has defended the Government's record on providing social and affordable housing.
Opposition politicians have repeatedly criticised the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats coalition in relation to the housing.
The Government has come under particular criticism for failing to meet its target of providing 10,000 units of affordable housing under the Sustaining Progress agreement.
However, Mr Ahern has insisted that his department's housing statistics bulletin for 2004, which was published today, shows that progress is being made.
He said €1.6bn was spent on social and affordable housing last year, providing homes for more than 12,000 households.
