Charities hit out at ‘disgraceful’ new figures

SEVERAL charities have hit out at the shocking new record figures of homelessness.

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Focus Ireland chief executive Pat Dennigan said yet another record high of homeless people was “disgraceful” and the number of homeless children - 5,319 - was “heartbreaking”.

“Homelessness hurts everyone but we know it hurts children the most and we are working hard in partnership with the State and other NGOs every day to protect people while they are homeless,” he said.

“Even as the crisis is deepening it must be remembered that homelessness can be solved if the right policies are in place and we are ending homelessness for families and individuals every day. However, we need a shift in policy to ease this human crisis.”