The Department of Housing's October homeless figures revealed there are now 8,830 people, 6,317 adults and 2,513 children accessing homeless services across the country. This represents 355 more people than September, and is the fifth month in row that the Department's official figures have shown an increase.
Sinn Féin representative Eoin Ó Broin TD has described the figures as "deeply concerning".
-- Advertisement --
The Dublin Mid-West TD said: "Ever since this government lifted the comprehensive Covid-19 protections that were in place, the homeless figures have begun to rise again.
"It is important to note that these figures don't include women and children in domestic violence accommodation, families with their leave to remain who are stuck in direct provision, and people in emergency accommodation that is not funded by the Department of Housing.
"The Minister has a rental bill before the Dáil next week. He has the opportunity to prevent more people from entering homelessness by banning rent increases.
"Furthermore, he can introduce real tenancies of indefinite duration by removing a landlord's ability to evict tenants if they want to sell the property, which is the leading cause of family homelessness.
"Sinn Féin will be submitting amendments to the upcoming Residential Tenancies Bill which will, amongst other things, ban rent increases across the state and provide for real tenancies of indefinite duration."
