The government has come under pressure to fast track the Simon Homeless Prevention Bill after alarming statistics came to life regarding children experiencing homelessness.

New data has revealed that 2,548 children are homeless across Ireland, sparking a call for urgent action to protect the most vulnerable.

Criticising the "unacceptable" figures and discussing the proposed legislation, Labour representative Rebecca Moynihan said: "The eviction ban during the pandemic severely curtailed the rise of homelessness. If the Minister had the courage to implement the changes proposed in Labour's Renters Rights bill it would have a tangible impact for those at risk of eviction.

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"Priority must be given to mothers and their children in emergency accommodation situations to ensure they are given at least some degree of security and not having to move from place to place each night, and spend the days out in the cold. We need to see a change in approach to the treatment of children and families in homeless situations.

"As we live through another uncertain winter and with many sections of society already closing due to the pandemic, the Minister needs to ensure renters are adequately protected. It's time to actually freeze rents until more supply and ban no fault evictions, and ensure when a property is sold that a tenant can remain in place.

"If homeless children continue to be treated this way the Rights of the Child in the Constitution won't be worth the paper it's written on and we will have failed our most vulnerable children."