The number of people registered as homeless in south Dublin has risen by 60% since January this year.

Sinn Féin is calling on the council to acquire more homes after the number of homeless people increased from 274 in January to 439 in October.

Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD described the figures as "shocking".

He said: "These figures do not include those who are sofa surfing, over-holding on their private rental accommodation or turned away from the homeless desk in Tallaght. The real homeless figure for the County is considerably higher.

-- Advertisement --

"There are a number of factors pushing more and more people and families into homelessness. High rents, home repossessions, relationship breakdown are all contributing factors.

"Minister Coveney must take action on these issues to halt the flow of people into homelessness. Introducing rent certainty legislation would put a break on spiralling rents. Introducing a moratorium on house repossessions until a new distressed mortgage regime is in place would reduce the number of evictions.

"Both of these actions were recommendations of the all-party Dáil Housing and Homeless Committee report earlier this year. Unfortunately Minister Coveney has ignored them both.

"However, the number one cause of homelessness is the lack of housing. The funding allocation from Minister Coveney to South Dublin County Council to purchase homes is not sufficient. There are properties available on the open market as well as those not for sale but not in use."

(CD/MH)