The number of people living in emergency accommodation in Ireland has risen to 10,338, new figures show.

According to the Department of Housing's official numbers, 6,490 adults and 3,848 children are registered homeless. The number of children living in emergency accommodation was up by 70 in the last month, while the number of adults fell by seven. 1,726 families were also recorded homeless, a slight increase of five.

Sinn Féin representative Eoin Ó Broin has slammed the figures and criticised the government for "failing to get to grips with the causes of homelessness".

-- Advertisement --

Deputy Ó Broin said: "For the seventh month in a row the number of people officially classified as homeless has remained above 10,000 with a total of 10,338.

"These figures do not provide the full picture and do not include women and children in domestic violence shelters funded by Tulsa, adults and children in hostels not funded by Government departments, rough sleepers and those still living in Direct Provision despite having secured their leave to remain.

"We need to stop these families becoming homeless and with the Budget coming up Minister Murphy and his counterpart in Fianna Fáil has the opportunity to demand more resources to build more public houses.

"Sinn Féin has called for an increase in investment in social and affordable homes built on public land and faster delivery time for these homes.

"We are calling on both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to drop their opposition to the Focus Ireland amendment as this is the best way to keep families from becoming homeless as it restricts the landlord's ability to seek vacant possession notices to quit."

(CM/JG)