The Minister for Environment has announced that 175 new places for those in need of emergency accommodation in Ireland will be available this winter.

Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson Dessie Ellis TD has welcomed the announcement, however he more needs to be done to stem the flow of renters into homelessness.

Deputy Ellis said: "New emergency beds will only meet the demand at best as we are seeing new families become homeless every day. This is due to soaring rents which have increased across the state by 10.2% this year alone. The only thing that can be done right now to stem this tide of new people becoming homeless is to protect tenants from losing their home.

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"This can be done by implementing rent control measures which will set a standard rate for local areas based on size along the lines of the successful Berlin model. We can then limit rent increases in the future by linking them to inflation and the Consumer Price Index. We must also protect tenants from unfair eviction, promote longer tenancies and educate tenants on their rights and ensure landlords obey their responsibilities to tenants."

(CD/LM)