ALONE is concerned that almost 90% of Dublin City Council flats do not meet minimum housing standards.

It comes after inspections of more than 6,300 flats over the past three years.

Defects included exposed live electrical wiring, scorched wall sockets, broken smoke alarms and broken windows.

CEO of ALONE, Sean Moynihan has said that in reality – the standards remain low to increase profits: “Well our concern is that people are campaigning to lower standards to solve a crisis.

“We believe they are really lowering standards to maximise profits and to maximise their income and they are not looking at the quality of life.

“As an organisation we want older people to have a standard of living and to live in a house which they can call home.”