Housing Minister Simon Coveney has been slammed for failing to address the homeless crisis in Ireland after figures revealed a 20% increase since he took on the role a year ago.

Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson, Eoin Ó Broin TD, accused the Minister of "failing homeless families".

The Department of Housing's March homelessness figures showed an increase in individual, family, and child homelessness. The latest figures show that 7,472 people, including 2,563 children, are now living in emergency accommodation.

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Deputy Ó Broin said: "One year ago, in March 2016, there were 5,963 people in emergency accommodation. Figures for March 2017 record a 25% jump in the number of people living in emergency accommodation.

"In February 2017, there were 4,875 adults in emergency accommodation; a month later, there are 4,909 adults living in emergency accommodation.

"Child homelessness continues to rise; there are now 2,563 children sleeping in emergency accommodation. This is 20% increase in child homelessness on the same period in 2016; an additional 442 children are sleeping in emergency from April 2016.

"Minister Coveney must make a statement in the Dáil next week as to why homeless levels are continuing to rise."

(CD/LM)