The Junior Environment Minister Paudie Coffey is rejecting claims that there is a crisis in the housing sector.
Mr Coffey has responsibility for housing and is describing the supply shortage as 'a challenge'.
However, the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) is insisting there is a crisis in the sector that is continuing to grow.
More than 250 representatives of the construction sector have attended a conference in Dublin today, with the issue of housing and supply dominating the event.
Housing lists around the country have grown an average of 42% in the past year. And figures show six new people are now becoming homeless every day in Ireland.
However Mr Coffey says the situation is not that severe.
But the CIF Director-General Tom Parlon is in no doubt.