The number of homeless people across Ireland has increased over the last month to 10,378, new figures have shown.

According to the April Homelessness Report, 6,584 adults, 3,794 children and 1,729 families were officially classed as homeless.

These number show an overall increase of 73 people from last month's report, while four fewer families and 27 fewer dependants are accessing emergency accommodation.

Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy has admitted his Department must do a lot more.

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"Family homelessness continues to be very challenging, particularly in the Dublin area," he commented. "So far this year we have exited more than 320 families out of emergency accommodation into a home, which is some progress, but clearly, we need to do a lot more. My Department is working closely with the local authorities to deliver homes for every family in emergency accommodation."

Responding to the figures, Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin has called for radical change in policy direction.

"The Minister has called tackling family homelessness 'challenging'. It is a shame that he opposed positive solutions brought forward by the opposition which would have helped families being evicted by Buy to Let landlords.

"Unfortunately, I do not believe that this Minister or this government has any real interest in changing course."

(CM)