Sinn Féin are preparing a bill aimed at helping to prevent homelessness in Ireland.

Housing Spokesperson Dessie Ellis said the focus now must be on forming a government so that progressive Bills can be presented to the House and solutions found to the critical issues facing the country.

Deputy Ellis said: "The Bill we are preparing seeks to amend the Housing Act of 1988 to update the definition of homelessness and bring in new responsibilities for Local Authorities in dealing with homelessness and people affected by it.

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"It provides for the Local Authority to consider the position of families and individuals at risk of homelessness, as well as those already experiencing it, and so compels the authority to act in a preventative way.

"The Bill would provide for interventions which would prevent homelessness and adequately deal with the problem to ensure the housing of people who need support."

(CD/LM)