Sinn Féin has called on the new Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy to increase investment in social and affordable housing.

The party's Housing spokesperson, Eoin Ó Broin TD, was speaking at a demonstration to highlight the homeless crisis across Ireland.

Deputy Ó Broin said: "Under Simon Coveney's watch the number of people in emergency accommodation increased every single month. Given his failure to get a grip on the housing and homeless crisis his speedy defection to Foreign affairs is not surprising.

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"His replacement, Minister Eoghan Murphy can succeed where Simon Coveney failed but only if he increases investment in social and affordable housing.

"With almost 8,000 people including almost 3,000 children living in emergency accommodation it is clear that the government programme of building and buying housing for those with acute housing need is not sufficient. These families need homes not HUBs.

"Minister Murphy needs to hit the ground running and immediately announce more ambitious targets for providing the housing that people need.

"There is no need for a three month review of the governments failing housing plan. What is needed is immediate, ambitious and decisive action to provide homes for those in need.

"Minister Murphy also needs to provide councils with the staff and funding to roll out a more substantial programme of building and buying houses for social and affordable use."

(CD/LM)