The number of families accessing emergency accommodation has risen to 1,753, according to the latest Homelessness Report.

In September some 5,869 adults and 3,829 dependents used emergency accommodation – up by 1.7% compared to August: an increase of 35 adults and 136 dependants.

However, new data shows that for a second month in a row family presentations in Dublin are down, and the number of new families entering emergency accommodation is also down.

Furthermore, in Dublin in the month of September, 119 families were prevented from entering emergency accommodation, while 45 families exited emergency accommodation; although this is almost half the number in August, which saw 83 families leave emergency accommodation.

Commenting on the figures, Minister for Housing, Planning & Local Government, Eoghan Murphy, said: "We are still very much in the midst of a crisis in homelessness in this country, despite the increasing numbers of new social houses being built and house building more generally. Until we have caught up with supply, we will continue to face a serious challenge. More effort is needed and more emergency responses are needed, and the provision of extra money in the budget, for this year and next year, is demonstration of the government's determination when it comes to our homelessness crisis. Regulation of the short term rental market as well as greater protections for tenants, both of which are imminent, will also play an important role in making better progress.

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"I don't want to see any new families in emergency accommodation, but it should be noted that the work of authorities with our partners in the NGO sector has resulted in more than 160 family preventions and exits in Dublin in the month of September and that is very welcome. Families are getting the help they need, but clearly not enough of them.

"The Government is making all the necessary resources available to the local authorities. Budget 2019 reflects this commitment by allocating an additional €30 million for homelessness services (bringing to €146 million the total for 2019); €60 million extra in capital funding for additional emergency accommodation and €1.25 billion for the delivery of new social homes."

Commenting on the "dramatic rise in child homelessness, Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin said: "It is deeply disappointing that Minister's tardy practice of releasing bad news homeless figures late in the working evening has re-emerged.

"Once again I am calling on the government to do more to tackle the causes of homelessness.

"The Focus Ireland amendment would help families to stay in their homes. It is an amendment to the Residential Tenancies Act which would prevent buy to let landlords who benefited from tax breaks from issuing vacant possession notices to quit when selling their property.

"We need to see a more aggressive plan for the purchase of turnkey properties for families to move into.

"I will be raising this with the Minister for Housing tomorrow."

(MH/CM)