A leading homelessness campaigner says the Government's housing policy should be torn up.
Fr Peter McVerry says we need a new policy based on building social housing and bringing vacant sites back into use.
He was speaking at a meeting of the National Homeless and Housing Coalition, which coincided with a free concert in Dublin to highlight the issue.
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Fr McVerry says a new housing policy is needed immediately.
He observed: "Next year, Government will be giving private landlords €2 million every single day to provide social housing.
"The reliance on the private rental sector is the fundamental flaw in the Government's homeless & housing strategy."
He added: "We need to turn that around, and start relying more on social housing."
The National Homeless and Housing Coalition, meanwhile, has announced plans for a major protest to highlight issue concerning the housing crisis.
The national demonstration is due to be held on Saturday 7th April 2018.
Reporting by Nicole Gernon & Stephen McNeice
