Figures Show Increase In Those Using Emergency Accommodation In Wicklow

10,975 people are registered as homeless in Ireland - a record total for the third month in a row.

45 of those are here in County Wicklow.

The figure is 29% higher than last September, 19% up on the start of this year, and 37% higher than April 2021 - which was a low during the pandemic.

It includes 3,342 children who are growing up in B&Bs and hotels - the highest figure since the start of the pandemic, when extra supports were put in place.

The Department of Housing has highlighted that nearly half of single people and families were only in emergency accommodation for six months between June and September.

Minister Darragh O'Brien said the situation is "very challenging", and said money to fix the issue isn't an obstacle.

The totals released every month by the Department of Housing do not include refugees or asylum seekers without a home of their own, nor does it include women in refuge centres, rough sleepers or the so-called hidden homeless.