1,054 families are homeless around the country according to new figures released today.

913 of them, including 1,847 children, are in homeless accommodation in Dublin.

The statistics from the Dublin Region Homeless Executive show a 34% increase in homelessness since December.

Kerry Anthony of homeless charity Depaul believes an increase in housing stock is “absolutely critical”.

“On a daily basis in our services we are seeing more and more families who are facing the devastation of homelessness,” said Anthony.

“We urge that the recommendations included in the report from the Oireachtas Committee on Housing and Homelessness be delivered as a priority. It is absolutely critical that we increase the housing stock in Dublin by supplying the recommended 50,000 additional housing units over the next five years.”