Threshold, the housing organisation, has severely criticised the measures announced in yesterday's Budget.
It said the blanket re-introduction of interest relief for investors and the reduction in stamp duty would be good news for construction and property interest groups but "will do nothing for low-income families and individuals who are struggling to find a home".
The organisation described as "derisory" the allocation of €147 million to housing. The investment would have a negligible effect on the 60,000 households currently on local authority waiting lists, it said.