A total of €180 million was spent on homeless services last year, according to new figures from the Department of Housing.

In a series of financial reports it was also revealed that 5% of the total spend was used on homelessness prevention.

Sinn Féin's Eoin Ó Broin condemned the figures, calling them a matter of "deep concern".

He said: "While Government must continue to provide emergency accommodation to all those who need it the fact that just €9.6m from €180m was spent preventing people from becoming homeless is totally unacceptable.

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"It demonstrates that the homeless crisis is out of control and the Government does not have a grip on it. The Government must outline a plan showing how they intend to shift the focus from emergency accommodation to prevention.

"I am also concerned that there is still no independent inspection regime for all emergency accommodation. While inspection of voluntary sector accommodation will commence this year it will be carried out by Local Councils. This is not sufficient. What is needed is a fully independent inspection regime ensuring that all emergency accommodation, including hotels and B&Bs, meet the highest possible standards."

(CM/MH)