The latest homelessness figures have been released for February, with the number reaching over 10,000.

Approximately 10,264 people were officially classed as homeless, an increase of 277 from the previous month.

Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy called the figures "hugely disappointing" but reaffirmed that the government's plans to fix the supply of social and private housing are working.

Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD has hit out at Minister Murphy, calling for the end of Rebuilding Ireland.

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Deputy Ó Broin said: "He cannot in one breath call the figures disappointing and then claim that Rebuilding Ireland is working, when it is clearly not.

"It is a scandal that the Taoiseach continues to lecture Sinn Féin on policy when he is presiding over a policy failure than is impacting thousands of families, children, pensioners, couples and students."

He has now called on members of the Dáil to support a Bill to help families at risk of homelessness, which will be debated today, 28 March.

Mr Ó Broin continued: "The Bill, which is based on The Focus Ireland amendment, will prevent buy to let landlords from issuing vacant possession notices to quit to tenants when they are selling the property.

"This is currently the single biggest cause of family homelessness.

"We are calling on all TD's, including Fianna Fáil, who blocked the measure in 2016 to support this small but important measure that would help people facing imminent homelessness."

(CM/JG)