Fianna Fáil has pledged to bring forward a number of recommendations to increase housing supply to address the homeless crisis in Ireland.

The party made the announcement after figures revealed a dramatic rise in homelessness in Co Meath,

The figures, released by the Department of Environment and Local Government, showed 45 people were homeless in Meath in January, however the number has increased to 61.

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TD for Meath Thomas Byrne said: "There have been significant increases in rates of homelessness right across the country since last January. The root cause of this is the low supply of housing which is ultimately driving up rents and forcing people out of their homes.

"Fianna Fáil secured an increase in rent supplement as part of its confidence and supply arrangement with Fine Gael. This will help keep people in their homes but it’s only a short term solution to the problem. The long-term solution is to build more homes and increase the supply of housing.

"Fianna Fáil is bringing forward a series of recommendations aimed at increasing housing supply and addressing the homelessness crisis."

(CD/MH)