Over 13,000 social and affordable houses were completed in 2007, according to the Department of the Environment.
The Department's quarterly housing statistics bulletin reveals that 9,469 social and 3,567 affordable housing units were built last year.
Local authorities were responsible for the completion of 3,539 units in 2007, up 10 per cent on the previous year. The voluntary and co-operative sector completed an additional 2,200 housing units for low-income families.
According to a recent study published by the Department of the Environment, the supply of affordable housing has consistently increased over the past few years from about 2,000 units in 2004 to almost 3,600 units last year.
Focus Ireland welcomed the provision of 9,469 social housing units last year but stressed that this level must be maintained to have a real impact on reducing the housing waiting lists which stand at a total of 43,000 households nationwide.
The charity called for allocation of more of the homes produced under state social housing provision to be set aside for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
It also urged the Government to heed former Taoiseach Garrett Fitzgerald's calls for increased funding and resources to be allocated to social housing programmes to tackle the slump in the construction industry and keep the economy more buoyant
Announcing the 2008 National Housing Programme this morning, Minister for Housing, Urban Renewal and Developing Areas Batt O'Keeffe said that he had set aside €74 million for spending on affordable housing in 2008.
"The continued operation of the various affordable housing schemes is vital to ensure that lower-income households are in a position to purchase their own homes, and particularly so given current market conditions," said Mr O'Keefe.
The Minister also announced a record €290 million for capital funding which currently provide nearly all of the approved cost of permanent accommodation for families and people with special needs.
In addition, grants of over €200 million have been approved under the Capital Assistance Scheme for elderly and special needs housing.
Under the 2008 programme, there will be a 28 per cent increase to €121 million in spending for regeneration programmes across the country this year.
Of this, €65 million has been allocated for the the Ballymun regeneration project in north Dublin. Similar programmes in Limerick, Sligo and Cork will also receive additional spending under the 2008 programme.
"Our agenda for these projects is the delivery of total physical, environmental, economic, and social regeneration. These projects go beyond a simple upgrading of the housing stock and all activities are centred on the delivery of sustainable communities over the long-term," said Mr O'Keefe.
Funding for the Rental Accommodation Scheme, an initiative which currently provides long-term rented accommodation to some 11,000 households, has increased from €24 million last year to €51 million in 2008.
Mr O'Keefe also announced the distribution of the overall allocation of €40 million for the delivery of Traveller-specific accommodation in 2008 through group housing, halting sites, and grants for house or caravan purchases under the 2008 National Housing Programme.
