Sinn Féin has accused the Government of refusing to build social and affordable homes in Ireland.

Leader Gerry Adams also said the Govt does not acknowledge homelessness as a priority.

Mr Adams TD said: "The most up to date figures provided by the Department of Environment show that a grand total of 28 local authority houses were built during the first three quarters of 2015. That's 28 homes at a time when children are spending their formative years growing up in hotel rooms.

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"Last night on RTÉ, the stark reality of families living in emergency accommodation was highlighted and has quite rightly drawn wide spread condemnation and outright disgust.

"There are now over 5,100 citizens in homeless accommodation, including 1,638 children. No doubt some of those children will read the 1916 Proclamation in their class rooms during this centenary year. What will it mean to them? What does it mean to the Government?

"We know where the Government stands of course. They would rather cherish all the bankers than all of the children of the nation equally. They would rather US style tax cuts than help those in need of a home.

"An Taoiseach must step up and acknowledge that homelessness is a direct consequence of Government policy."

(CD/MH)