Homelessness has risen 9% this year

A record number of 17,885 people were in emergency accommodation last month, according to the Department of Housing.

An increase of 358 people in July, including 171 children.

Of the 7,304 single adults in emergency accommodation nationally, 4,881 are in Dublin.

Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin said on Friday that the Budget must prioritise homeless prevention.

"We need change and we need it now," he said.

"This increase has been driven by families, a 20% increase in families with children and that's a direct consequence of the policy decisions of Fianna Fail and and Fine Gael.

"The budget is only a matter of days away and what we need to see is a dramatic increase in investment in funding. First, for delivery of new social affordable homes. Second, a dramatic increase in funding for second-hand acquisitions, particularly tenant-in situ acquisitions, a homeless prevention measure, and three, we need to see a really significant increase in the budget for homeless prevention."

He said the numbers are "going in the wrong direction", adding this crisis will worsen unless the Government takes action.

Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne called the figures a "record high" and "unacceptable".