A Cabinet minister says the Government is doing all it can to deal with the homeless crisis - but admits there is a difficulty in responding quickly enough.

New figures show that the number of families becoming homeless so far this year has almost reached the total for all of 2014.

In the first seven months of this year, Focus Ireland worked with 466 families - compared to 485 in all of last year.

Last month a record 77 families presented to them, with 70 saying they had never been homeless before.

Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe said, "the Government has significantly increased the amount of funding that is available for the building of new homes. It is taking time for those homes to become available.

"We will refocus and redouble all of our efforts to see what can be done to ensure that, while these homes are being built, alternatives are made available to families who really need support," he added.

Focus Ireland has called on the Taoiseach Enda Kenny to urgently respond in an effective way to help ease the spiralling crisis - stating that the issue is getting out of control and must now be responded to as a national emergency by the Government. 

They also said the crisis is spreading around the country with families struggling in emergency accommodation nationwide in counties including Limerick and Kilkenny due to the growing number of people becoming homeless.

While a homeless charity in Cork, Good Shepherd Services, has reported an increase of more than one-quarter in demand for emergency beds.

Focus Ireland director of advocacy Mike Allen says we must provide accommodation for homeless people - but also give them a chance to make a living.

While Paschal Donohoe told Newstalk Lunchtime the only response to this is to have more housing available.

Katie was made homeless after her landlord increased the rent to levels she could not afford.

She says that she never thought that she and her kids would be homeless for so long.