The number of homeless families in the state has risen according to the Minister for Housing.

Minister Eoghan Murphy told the Dáil that official figures to be published later today will confirm the trend.

He insisted however, that the government is working to stop the crisis.

The minister also hinted at imminent measures to help people who are paying high rents that prevent them from moving to a mortgage.

Housing 

Housing has come up almost every hour in the Oireachtas this week - From the Seanad to committees to the Dáil chamber.

The budget is less than two weeks away and while Paschal Donohoe is running a tight ship on leaks, Minister Murphy did say there will be more money for housing.

“€5.3bn is in the capital plan and there will be an increase in that from 2019 on and that will be announced in the budget,” he said.

Homelessness figures

He said the government will publish figures this afternoon showing that the number of homeless families in Ireland is continuing to rise.

However, he noted that the figures will also show a drop in the number of homeless families in Dublin.

He said the government will soon announce new measures to help people who are earning too much to qualify for social housing – but too little to apply for a mortgage.

“I am conscious that these people would be able to finance or repay a mortgage if they could better financing terms and again without wanting to fly any kites or be accused of it, we will have measures to announce later on.”

The Minister claimed rent pressure zones are working however the negative homeless figures today will do little to relieve pressure on the government.