Government efforts on social and affording housing were criticised after new figures showed that less than 2,000 affordable houses were built last year.
The figures published today show that 1,912 affordable houses were built in the first nine months of 2006, 1,000 of which were delivered under part five of the Planning Act - which stipulates that up to 20 per cent of new housing developments should include affordable houses.
According to the Minister of State for Housing Noel Ahern, this marks an increase of 63 per cent compared to the same period a year ago.
However, Labour TD Eamon Gilmore today said: "Of the 90,000 new residential units completed last year, only 1,000 were built under the provisions of Part 5 of the Planning Act.
"That provision was supposed to make sure that developers provided up to 20 per cent of any of any development for social and affordable housing, but the Government bottled it when they allowed builders buy their way out of their obligations," Mr Gilmore said.
"At current construction levels Part 5 should be producing at least 5-6,000 houses and apartments every year, but we're actually only getting a fraction of that.
Mr Gilmore also said that the scope of the Affordable Housing Schemes should be widened so that more people will be able to qualify.