There has been a rise of almost 50% of the numbers of people in emergency accommodation.

New figures from the Department of the Environment show 5,715 adults were being offered crisis housing in January - a 49% increase on the same figure for last year.

The Simon Communities of Ireland the statistics shows that measures to tackle homelessness are failing.

The organisation has said the country needs a Minister for Housing in place urgently to deal with the crisis.

Spokesperson Niamh Randall has said it proves that measures aimed at tackling homelessness are failing: “Unfortunately what we are seeing is the crisis that we are seeing ongoing around the country being confirmed.

“There is actually nearly 6,000 men, women and children in emergency accommodation right now, that is a 49% increase on this time last year.

“That is over 1800 children but not to forget that is also over 2,600 adults who have no independence and these are all people we forget about as well.