Labour promises to build 50,000 houses in five years

Labour has promised to build 50,000 social housing units in five years, if part of the next government.

The party has also pledged to legislate for increased tenant security, including control of rents, and would introduce penalties for "rogue developers" who leave residential estates unfinished.

The measures are contained in a housing policy document introduced yesterday by Mr Éamon Gilmore, who condemned the Government's record in the sector during what he called the five most prosperous years in Irish history.

"There are more homeless people at any time since independence.

" There are twice as many families, waiting twice as long, on council housing lists.

" And more Irish people have lost their homes through eviction under Bertie Ahern's Government than during the equivalent period of the Land War under Queen Victoria."

In the same period, he added, the average price of a new house had risen from €87,000 to €187,000, putting home ownership "beyond the reach of young working couples, whose hard work and energy have built this economy".

A key feature of Labour's policy is the establishment of a National Housing Authority to co-ordinate the building strategies of local authorities.

The body would have the power to enter contracts with private construction to deliver affordable housing, and Labour says the approach would ensure that supply is directed to meet need and that stability is ensured.

Mr Gilmore criticised the Government for failing to implement the "modest measures" recommended by the Commission on the Private Rented Sector.

Labour in power would legislate to regulate the sector but also to encourage investment in it, he said.

The measures would include the establishment of a housing court, along the lines of the Labour Court and employment appeals tribunal. This would include a mediation service and would have power to resolve disputes between landlord and tenants.

The current system of registration of landlords would be scrapped and replaced with a system of prior licensing and inspection. But landlords would also be given quick redress where tenancy agreements are abused.

The party leader, Mr Ruairí Quinn, said the housing crisis during the 1960s was one of the issues that motivated him to go into politics, and it was shocking that four decades later there were people in Ireland who were still denied the right to housing.