580 CHILDREN MADE HOMELESS IN A YEAR

Statistics reveal significant increase

MORE than 580 children became homeless in Ireland within the space of just 12 months, the latest figures reveal. There were 46 families with no roof over their heads here last month, with figures rising significantly on last year. And 65 children were also left without shelter within the space of one month. Focus Ireland spokesman said: “These numbers must be seen as a line in the sand by the whole of Government. “The continued rise in homelessness shows these efforts need to be redoubled and require the full support across all Government departments.’’ There was also an increase of 63 adults without accommodation between March and April. The latest statistics for April 2017 show a significant rise from the same month last year. It shows 265 more families have been made homeless since April 2016 and 587 more children were in emergency accommodation in the same period. The number of homeless adults has also risen in one year from 4,068 in April 2016 to 4,972 in April 2017. The rise has been described as “disappointing” on a “distressing” week for homeless families. Brian Mcloughlin of Inner City Helping Homeless said: “Yet again we are seeing no improvement in the homeless crisis in Ireland as proper planning is not in place to assist these people in the short term. “This isn’t acceptable and can’t continue. What was a national crisis and national disgrace has gone beyond that now. “When families with small children have to sleep on the streets immediate action is needed. There are more than 180,000 empty dwellings in Ireland yet homelessness has comes to this.”