Fianna Fáil's Housing spokesperson Darragh O'Brien TD has urged the government to support the homeless "hidden from our view".

Speaking after this morning's briefing held by leading NGOs Barnardos, Focus Ireland, the Simon Community and St Vincent de Paul, he said: "Homelessness is sadly no longer just about those sleeping rough on our streets or the thousands of people living in temporary accommodation but also about the sizeable number of hidden from our view and exempt from housing supports.

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"Those who have found themselves to be without a place to call home, hidden from official statistics and not receiving support, can find themselves in precarious situations."

He then slammed the government for its failure to meet housing development targets: "Our Local Authorities have an obligation and responsibility to harness the potential of State owned vacant land. We cannot accept the unwillingness to develop these sites.

"There is no doubt in my mind that this Government can prevent the situation becoming any more acute by having the will to help and support people before they reach homelessness and become just another figure on the growing lists."

(CM)