Homelessness in Ireland has reached another record high. 

In July, there were 12,847 living in emergency accommodation – an increase of 247 since June.

There are 3,829 children included in figure.

Simon Communities of Ireland Executive Director Wayne Stanley described the number of children in emergency accommodation as “simply shameful” and urged the Government to take radical action.

“This cannot be allowed to continue,” he said.

“The Government has two clear opportunities over the coming weeks to take some of the steps required to meet their commitment to address homelessness by 2030.

“One measure is setting new targets for public housing provision and providing the necessary funding in the upcoming budget to meet them.

“While progress has been made, we need the state to provide a minimum of 15,000 social homes each year.

“Another is bringing forward an amendment to insert the right to housing into the Irish Constitution.”

The Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien arrives at Dublin Castle for Cabinet, 21-07-2020. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

Speaking to Newstalk, Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien said the Government’s focus remains on increasing the supply of accommodation.

“The numbers are still growing,” he said.

“That remains a matter of concern for me; we’re doing everything we can to ensure that we’re delivering more permanent homes to people so that they can exit directly out of emergency accommodation and into permanent housing.

“Which thankfully, we’re seeing a significant increase in that too.”

In July 2022, there were 7,431 people in homeless accommodation in Ireland – meaning the figure has surged by 73% in the space of a year.

Main image: A homeless person's tent.