Concerns have been raised over the rise in the number of homeless adults and children in Ireland.

The total number of people officially homeless is 9,104, up almost 30% on January 2017, according to new figures from the Department of Housing.

Sinn Fein housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD said "Rebuilding Ireland is in crisis".

He said: "The governments housing strategy is simply not working. In fact, it is making things worse. Adult and child homelessness is totally out of control.

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"There has been an increase of 36% on the number of homeless children sleeping in emergency accommodation this January compared to January 2017. This is coupled with a 29% increase in family homeless over the same period.

"The Minister for Housing is clearly out of his depth and it is time for the Taoiseach to step in and take control.

"I will be calling on the Government to convene an emergency cabinet meeting to address the issue. We need a significant increase in investment in turn key properties. We need action on notices to quit to stop the flow of families and adults into homelessness."

(CD/MH)