Over €1 billion raised since concerted moves against tax dodgers in the early 90s began should be spent on social housing, the Conference of Religious of Ireland (CORI) urged today.
With the latest deadline for potential tax offenders expiring at midnight, CORI's Justice Commission said financing accommodation for the 130,000 people on waiting lists could met from money raised in the tax amnesties of recent years.
Justice Commission spokesman Fr Seán Healy said the housing crisis will take 30 years to alleviate at the current rate of development.
"The scale of this response is totally inadequate given the size of the problem currently being faced by so many of Ireland's most vulnerable people," Fr Healy said.
Governments have claimed in the past that they have been unable to pay for the level of social housing required but with the windfall of backdated taxes flowing to the exchequer, Fr Healy said the issue could now be effectively addressed.
The Revenue Commissioners say €184 million has been collected to date from its latest move against offshore account holders.