Homelessness has hit an all-time high, with charities working with the homeless calling the numbers “deeply upsetting”, reports RTE.
The latest figures from the Ministry of Housing show that 11,988 people were homeless in March – a 2.1% increase on the previous month.
The statistics cover the four weeks before the government lifted the ban on winter clearance, reports RTE.
In January this year, the number of people registered as homeless was 11,754.
That number fell by 12 in February to 11,742.
This was the first drop since December 2021, when the number of people in shelters stood at just under 9,000.
The latest figures show that 8,516 adults and 3,472 children were homeless in March.
This compares to 8,369 adults and 3,373 children in February, reports RTE.
In January, 8,323 adults and 3,431 children were homeless.
Simon Community Ireland Executive Director Wayne Stanley said the latest figures were “deeply upsetting”, reports RTE.
Mr Stanley said the “shocking number” of 11,988 men, women and children in homeless shelters could have been even higher if the moratorium on evictions had not been in place.
“We know that some of this work is taking place and that is welcome, but Government action on homelessness has to be judged on results and these figures are evidence that not enough is being done,” he said, reports RTE.
Focus Ireland CEO Pat Dennigan said the charity receives calls and emails every day from people who have been affected by evictions and homelessness through no fault of their own.
“They are terrified and I really do not think the Government has spoken to people in this situation as if they had they would not have lifted the ban,” he said, reports RTE.
Mr Dennigan stated: “One retired civil servant contacted us for help as she is facing eviction and terrified. We are working to support her, and she is just one of the many people contacting us,” reports RTE.
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