Homeless groups say the Government's housing plan has failed, after the number of people in emergency accommodation rose again last month.

Figures released by the Government yesterday show that a total of 9,891 men, women and children were homeless in July - up 19 since June.

The numbers include 3,867 children, with the number of homeless families at 1,778.

While the figure remains below 10,000, a number of housing and homeless groups have suggested that the actual figure is higher as hundreds of people were 'recategorised' out of the figures in the first few months of the year.

Sinn Féin and the Labour have both said that they are considering tabling motions of no confidence in Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy over his response to the crisis.

Anthony Flynn, the CEO of Inner City Helping Homeless, suggests the situation is going to get worse.

Speaking after the release of the figures, he observed: "The Minister's five-year-plan has failed - his plan for 2020 Ireland has already failed; Rebuilding Ireland has already failed.

"The responses are just not good enough - we're not seeing actual on the ground responses from the Department or the Minister in tackling homelessness in any way, shape or form."

He added: "Unless the Minister is going to come out and tackle this head on, we're going to continue to see people enter homeless services right the way through the rest of the year."

The Simon Communities, meanwhile, said the pace of building social and affordable housing cannot match demand - with spokesperson Niamh Randall saying there's an over-reliance on a 'broken' private rental sector.

Speaking after the release of the July homeless figures yesterday, Minister Murphy acknowledged that any increase is "unacceptable", adding that "we still need significantly more homes".