New figures show there were 1,054 families, including 2,177 children, in homeless accommodation in May.

The numbers from the Dublin Region Homeless Executive also show there were 913 families - including 1,218 adults and 1,847 children - homeless in the capital from May 23rd to 29th.

Homeless charity Depaul has urged a strong and coordinated approach to stem the flow of families into emergency accommodation, and to provide move-on options for families experiencing homelessness.

The number of families homeless in Dublin has increased by 34% since December 2015.

There were 683 families - including 939 adults and 1,409 children - who were in homeless accommodation in the week of December 21st 2015.

Kerry Anthony is CEO of Depaul: "On a daily basis in our services we are seeing more and more families who are facing the devastation of homelessness.

"Over the past two years these numbers have gone up and up every single month.

"In May 2015 the number of children who were homeless in Dublin surpassed the 1,000 mark and Depaul, along with other homeless charities, were urging action in the face of this crisis."

Raising rent supplement

"One year on, there are 800 additional children who have no place to call home in Dublin.

"It is time that we confront this situation as the emergency that it is and put in place immediate and long-term solutions to reverse this damaging trend."

She believes it is "absolutely critical" that the housing stock in Dublin is increased, by supplying the recommended 50,000 additional housing units over the next five years.

While she is also calling for recommendations contained in the Oireachtas Committee on Housing and Homelessness to be delivered as a priority.

"We must also implement the recommendations contained in the report to safeguard families at risk of homelessness due to home repossession or eviction from private rented accommodation."

"With rents having surpassed their height during the boom, we must raise rent supplement and HAP levels - and increase rent certainty measures and tenure security as a priority," she added.