The number of people experiencing homelessness across Ireland has risen back to record levels, according to new reports.

The Department of Housing published the official homeless report for April, showing that 7,105 adults and 2,944 children slept in emergency accommodation slept in emergency accommodation.

Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien has called for urgent action to address the issue across Ireland.

Sinn Féin representative Eoin Ó Broin TD said: "This government is to blame for this. It, like the government before it, while failing to provide an adequate level of new real social housing, has also failed to address the shrinking private rental sector. As a result, more and more families are experiencing homelessness.

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"We know that more and more landlords are selling up and the issuing of notices to quit from landlords are responsible for more than half of all evictions. The squeeze in the rental market in turn makes it harder for them for source new accommodation

"We need to see immediate action from the Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien. The solutions have been provided to him by NGOs and opposition parties.

"The Minister must allow councils to buy rental properties where HAP or RAS tenants have an eviction notice, to prevent the family becoming homeless. 

"The Focus Ireland Amendment must be adopted to ensure that where a buy-to-let landlord is selling their property, they must leave the tenant in situ. 

"The government must also take action to progress the Simon Communities (Homeless Prevention) Bill, which was passed by the Dáil late last year.

"Ultimately, however, the only way to really tackle the crisis is to increase the number of new, real social homes, owned by local authorities and approved housing bodies. 

"I don't know what the Minister is waiting for. He and his government must take action now."