Sinn Féin has pledged to increase homeless funding if it is voted into government.

Housing spokesperson Dessie Ellis TD made the comments following the launch of the Sinn Féin Alternative Budget document, 'Delivering A Fair Recovery', which sets out alternative measures for the government to consider for the upcoming budget.

Deputy Ellis said: "2015 has seen the issue of homelessness come to the forefront. Homelessness had been steadily increasing under this government but this year has seen an unprecedented number of people losing their homes.

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"Now well over 1000 children are in emergency accommodation along with their parents and many more single people. The government's response has been an embarrassment and clearly outlines their lack of desire to really tackle the problem and help these most vulnerable people.

"Sinn Féin proposes that this budget prioritises the housing and homeless crisis. The document calls for an additional 300 million euro spend on housing in 2016, nearly double the commitment likely to be made by the government.

"This money will be used to build and refurbish more houses which will cut waiting lists, stabilise rents and allow local authorities to house people currently in homelessness."

(CD/JP)