Fianna Fail has raised concerns over the number of homeless children living in emergency accommodation throughout Ireland.

The party confirmed there are over 2,177 children currently sleeping in emergency homeless accommodation across the country.

Spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs Anne Rabbitte said she is "deeply concerned" over the inaction by both the Government and Tusla.

She said: "The Governments dismal record on housing provision is creating a whole cohort of children growing up without a place that they can call home. In 2013 there were 15 families on average becoming homeless in Dublin every month. In the last few months of 2016 this has increased 5 fold to over 92 new families becoming homeless each month.

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"These children have been living in hotel and bed and breakfast accommodation over a period of months. Many families have to move accommodation on a continual basis as a result of this.

"The experience of homelessness and constant disruption is having a detrimental impact on the development of these children.

“Currently Tusla only plays a reactive role in relation to vulnerable children. They only take action if welfare or protection concerns are reported to social workers. It's shameful that Tusla does not have the statutory responsibility for all families and children who are housed in emergency accommodation.

"Tusla needs to be empowered to allow it play a proactive role in protecting child welfare."

(CD/LM)