Sinn Féin says it is time for the Government to stop talking about the housing and homeless crisis and to take immediate action.

The party has outlined its private members business for the Dáil next week that calls on the coalition to tackle the crisis with rent controls, increased rent supplement and measures to get social housing built.

Latest figures from the Dublin Simon Community show the number of homeless families in Dublin has jumped by 106% in the last 12 months.

The number of children in emergency accommodation in the capital is up by 99%, while the figures for rough sleepers are already at the levels they were at last Christmas.

The Simon Community say not only has the number of people who are long-term homeless grown by 53% - but individuals in emergency accommodation have increased to 2,298 in the capital.

It adds that 1,275 children and 607 families are without a home in the Dublin region alone.

Spokesperson Dessie Ellis says what was a crisis earlier this year, is now significantly worse.