Homelessness in Ireland hit another record high last month, the Department of Housing has revealed.
In May, there were 12,441 registered homeless people - an increase of 182 people since April.
The figures include 3,699 children living in emergency accommodation.
Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien noted the increase was “less than the [increases of the] previous few months”.
“That’s no consolation for those who are entering into emergency accommodation,” he said.
“But thankfully, we’re seeing more people exiting emergency accommodation into permanent, social homes.
“It [housing] remains the biggest challenge; the way to fundamentally address this is through increased supply.”
One bedroom homes
Last month, Minister O’Brien said the Government was on track to “exceed” its housing targets in 2023.
The Peter McVerry Trust said it was concerned that most new properties are rarely suitable for the homeless.
“The type of homes being delivered doesn’t adequately reflect the needs of people impacted by homelessness or even the main need of people on the wider social housing waiting lists,” the trust said in a statement.
“Almost 50% of the people in homelessness last month needed a one bed home, no other house type comes anywhere near that figure.
“This week if you looked at the total number of one-bedroom homes to buy on the market on Daft.ie or myhome.ie of any type or price there are just around 600 nationally.
“So, even if we bought every single one of those homes tomorrow you are only securing 10% of the homes we need to tackle the needs of single homeless people in May.”
Homeless man. Labour leader Ivana Bacik said the Government had “utterly failed in their efforts to tackle homelessness” and urged them to prioritise homeless children.
“It is appalling that 3,699 children are living in homelessness,” Deputy Bacik said.
“The uncertainty, stress and lack of freedom placed on these children as a result will no doubt have significant long-term consequences.”
In May 2022, there were 10,325 homeless people in Ireland - meaning the number has increased by 20.5% in the space of a year.
Not included in the figure are homeless people who are not registered with the Department of Housing - many of whom are sleeping rough.
Main image: Homeless person shelters from the cold Ha’penny Bridge in Dublin. Image: Michael Rooney / Alamy
