Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin TD, has said that since the current government has been in office homelessness has increased by 61%.

The Dublin Mid-West TDs comments were made as the latest Department of Homelessness report shows that the number of adults and children officially classified as homeless has hit 14,000 for the first time.

Deputy Ó Broin said that to reduce and ultimately eradicate homelessness, there must be a change of government.

He added that delivering genuinely affordable homes for workers and families will only be achieved under a Sinn Féin-led government.

Teachta Ó Broin said:

“The April homeless report has recorded increases in homelessness across all categories including adults, children and families singles and pensioners.

“For the first time, the number of people officially recognised as homeless has hit 14,000.

“Since the current government took office, homelessness has increased by 61%.

“This government and their failing housing plan are the cause of this unacceptable month-on-month rise in homelessness.

“Only a change of government and a change of housing plan can reverse the ever rising levels of homelessness.

“Delivering genuinely affordable homes for workers and families will only be achieved under a Sinn Féin-led government

“When people go to the polls in the local and European elections on June 7th they should remember this. Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party are the parties of homelessness.

“If you want homelessness to reduce and ultimately be eradicated you have to vote these parties out of office.”