Irish organisation Threshold prevented over 1,000 children from entering homelessness in the first three months of 2023, new data has revealed.

Figures published by the homelessness prevention organisation revealed that 75% of notices citing renovation as the reason for the eviction were deemed invalid.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik has hit out at the figures and criticised the housing policies under Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.

Deputy Bacik said: "In making the indefensible decision to lift the temporary no-fault eviction ban prematurely, the Government utterly failed to put in place contingency plans for people who have received notices to quit. An information vacuum has been created and all renters, whether they have received a notice to quit or not, are now facing an insecure and uncertain future, afraid that the roof may be taken from over their heads.

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"We need a 'one stop shop' to be introduced by the Department of Housing to triage the queries of these concerned renters. Labour wrote to Minister O'Brien in advance of the lifting of the ban some weeks ago, asking him how best we can help people at risk of eviction. Weeks have passed, but he has yet to reply. This is nothing short of outrageous for the thousands of renters who are sick with worry and have no place to go.

"Government cannot continue to sit on its hands and let NGOs and charities like Threshold, the Simon Community and others pick up the pieces from its gross failings.

"Homelessness figures are now exceeding 11,600. Emergency accommodation facilities are at capacity. As we approach the State Examinations period, we face the appalling vista that children may end up sleeping on the floor of garda stations. All of this is happening in the context of phenomenal budgetary surpluses.

"It makes no sense that Government are building up the rainy-day fund rather than building homes. Unfortunately for many renters, the storm has already arrived.

"In the immediate term, I would urge Government to progress Labour's Homeless Families Bill to safeguard the rights of children in homeless services. The appalling reality of child homelessness continues to be laid bare by this disaster.

"Politics is about choices. Government cannot continue to outsource the basic human right of having a home to NGOs and charities. A society is judged by how it treats the most vulnerable. We have to do better."