The number of individuals in emergency accommodation increased again last month, reaching 17,308, reports RTE.
Figures from the Department of Housing show that 11,851 adults and 5,457 children were recorded as homeless during the month, reports RTE.
This marks an increase of 196 compared to January, when homelessness exceeded 17,000 (17,112) for the first time.
Under new rental regulations, landlords who take on tenants after 1 March must provide them with a six-year lease, reports RTE.
Property owners have cautioned that these changes are prompting some landlords to exit the market.
The figures released relate to February, before the introduction of the updated rental rules, reports RTE.
Last week, data from the State’s Residential Tenancies Board indicated that eviction notices issued by landlords rose by 41% in the final three months of 2025 compared to the same period a year earlier.
According to Dublin Simon, an average of two households per day in the capital are being issued notices to quit or are facing eviction or informal tenancy endings, reports RTE.
Forms of hidden homelessness—such as individuals couch surfing or sleeping in cars—are not captured in the official Department of Housing statistics.
The Government has pledged to review the Housing Assistance Payment scheme, which charities say needs significant reform to help prevent homelessness, reports RTE.
Richard Boyd Barrett of People Before Profit-Solidarity said he has recently seen a rise in families contacting his constituency office who are either homeless or at risk.
He said these situations appear increasingly “intractable” due to a shortage of three- and four-bedroom homes, reports RTE.
The Taoiseach said tenancy numbers have risen nationwide and that there is always a degree of “churn” in the rental market.
Micheál Martin was responding to Residential Tenancies Board data showing eviction notices rose by 41% in the last quarter of 2025 compared with the same period a year earlier, reports RTE.
He said the Housing Commission had clearly stated that reforms to rent pressure zones were necessary.
The Taoiseach said the changes provide certainty for investment while also strengthening tenant protections, reports RTE.
“There is no question that rent reforms with a six-year tenancy in particular ends no fault eviction,” he said.
“In addition to that, it gives a landscape to investors to make sure we can get more apartments built,” he added, reports RTE.
Mr Martin said around €9 billion has been allocated to housing this year, with an estimated €20 billion required overall.
He added that the private sector will need to contribute significantly to achieve the construction of 50,000 homes, reports RTE.
He said the Government’s approach is balanced and should be viewed alongside other policy measures.
“We had 36,000 houses built last year which is the highest in a long, long time so we are making progress,” he said, reports RTE.
“But with population growth, it’s not enough yet,” he added.
He said the Government will work to ensure “a sufficiency of houses” so that young people can access affordable homes to buy or rent, reports RTE.
Eoin Ó Broin said rents are likely to “ratchet upwards” due to the new rental rules.
He estimated that tenants could face increases of between €3,000 and €5,000 annually, reports RTE.
Deputy O’Broin said these increases would likely emerge gradually over time.
He added that one necessary measure would be the introduction of an emergency ban on no-fault evictions, reports RTE.
Rory Hearne of the Social Democrats also called for such a ban.
He described the scale of the crisis as “a social catastrophe” that is likely to worsen, reports RTE.
Deputy Hearne said the housing minister was not treating homelessness as a priority.
He also expressed serious concern about rising levels of child homelessness, calling it “deeply, deeply concerning”, reports RTE.
Ciarán Ahern of Labour also raised concerns about child homelessness.
He said left-wing opposition parties agree that an emergency eviction ban should be introduced, reports RTE.
He added that solutions exist but accused the Government of failing to act.
Richard Boyd Barrett also called for the reinstatement of the eviction ban and prioritising efforts to move people out of homelessness.
He suggested the Government was “gaslighting” both the public and the Oireachtas, reports RTE.
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