Sinn Féin's finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty has said the final Leaders Questions of the year was a time of reckoning for the Government.
He said the Tánaiste had raised "real expectations" among families who are struggling and who are desperate for change - in reference to children living in the box room.
He said yesterday's ESRI's report showed that Budget 2026 would result in a loss of disposable income for all households.
"After your budget, families are poorer, not better off."
He said families were still struggling with all sorts of costs like rents, transport costs and energy prices.
"Nowhere is this failure more brutal than in the area of housing."
He cited the recent figures from the CSO that show that prices have risen by 7.3% in the last year alone.
He said for the average person, this meant an increase in one year of €31,000.
Tánaiste Simon Harris said the ESRI figures also showed growth.
He said increased wages would have a positive impact on families and consumer spending would grow further in 2026.
"We are working to fix housing once and for all. Yes there are too many people in box bedrooms... but completions are now up," he added.
He said there had been a rise in completions of 4%.
Deputy Doherty said the ESRI report showed that the Government would not meet housing targets while Minister Harris said there were positive signs that the investments by the Government were showing progress.
The Dáil is set to rise today for the Christmas holidays. The final day of sittings for 2025 got underway at 8.50am this morning and the house is due to rise at 9.54pm this evening.
It will not sit again for 25 days with a return date ot Wendesday 13 January.
Meanwhile, the Seanad is expected to rise before lunch today and will not return until 20 January which will give senators a month off for Christmas.
