Dublin: Ireland’s housing and homelessness crisis has reached an unprecedented level, with a record 5,238 children living in emergency accommodation, according to the latest data released by the Department of Housing. The total number of homeless individuals across the country rose to 16,614 in September, up from 14,760 during the same month last year — a 12.5% increase.
The number of homeless children has surged by 14.8%, while 2,443 families are now living in emergency accommodation — a figure that continues to climb month after month. Compared with August, there were 261 more people registered as homeless in September.
The report shows that 71% of homeless adults are in Dublin, with men making up 60% of the total and women 40%. About half of all homeless adults are Irish citizens, and 53% are aged between 25 and 44. The figures also reveal 261 people aged over 65 and 1,974 between 18 and 24 living without permanent housing.
Taoiseach Pledges Review of Homeless Situation
Taoiseach Micheál Martin expressed deep concern over the worsening crisis, saying the government is “examining all factors” contributing to rising homelessness. He confirmed that Housing Minister James Browne has secured funding to assist families living in temporary accommodation.
Martin noted that homelessness has become “more complex than ever”, citing family reunification among people leaving direct provision as one possible contributing factor. “We must prioritise permanent housing to move people out of emergency accommodation and restore stability,” he said.
Opposition and Advocacy Groups Slam Government Inaction
Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne described the latest figures as “an absolute disaster”, blaming the spike in homelessness on rising evictions in the private rental sector. He said more than 10,000 eviction notices had been issued in the first six months of the year, warning that thousands more would follow. “The government must impose a total ban on family evictions,” Hearne urged.
Simon Community Ireland Executive Director Ber Grogan said the situation was “a national disgrace”, criticising the government for allowing children to grow up in “unsafe and unsuitable accommodation”.
Catherine Kenny, CEO of Simon Community Dublin, called for urgent and coordinated action to prevent further child homelessness.
Focus Ireland CEO Pat Dennigan urged the government to publish a comprehensive national homelessness strategy and to adopt the charity’s five-point plan to end child homelessness.
Sinn Féin and Labour Demand Stronger Action
Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin claimed that the true number of people facing homelessness, including those in precarious housing situations, is closer to 22,000. He said the government’s new housing plan must “set a clear and measurable target to end homelessness by 2030.”
Labour housing spokesperson Conor Sheehan also condemned the government’s approach, saying it had “done little more than publish depressing monthly statistics.” He accused the coalition of “managing numbers instead of solving the crisis.”
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