The number of local authority houses built in the first three-quarters of last year fell by 50 per cent over previous years, the Labour Party claimed yesterday.
According to the party's environment spokesman, Mr Eamon Gilmore, the number of houses built in the first three-quarters of 2000 was 1,201. However, he maintained that in 1999 the figure for the corresponding period was 1,820, while in 1998 it was 1,867.
Commenting on the figures, contained in the recently released Housing Statistics Bulletin for the September quarter 2000, Mr Gilmore said: "At a time when there are record numbers of applicants on council housing waiting lists, it is scandalous that there are fewer houses being built."