The Social Protection Minister says the government will make more social housing available to help end homelessness. 

The comments from Joan Burton come after a warning from a leading social justice campaigner that there is a homeless crisis in Dublin

Fr. Peter McVerry says the situation is 'scandalous' and 'appalling'.

He says the current situation in the capital is the worst he has seen in the last 35 years. He also says the government plan to end homelessness and rough sleeping by 2016 will not be achieved.

The charity of the social justice campaigner helped 3,586 homeless people in the capital last year - compared with 383 people in 2008.

Fr. McVerry says the situation in Dublin alone has now reached crisis point.

Minister Burton says the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) and boarded-up vacant social housing units will play a role in providing more accommodation.