The Dublin Region Homeless Executive has said that homeless families are not at threat of losing hotel rooms as demand for accommodation increases for the St Patrick's Day festival.
Dublin Sinn Féin TD Seán Crowe yesterday raised the issue after families approached his office to say they were being told to vacate their rooms in the run up to St Patrick's weekend.
"Homeless families are facing into St Patrick's weekend with nowhere to stay or go for that weekend. There is no emergency plan, no emergency measures, and no solutions coming from the Government," he said.
DRHE Chief Executive Eileen Gleeson said however that the agency has made contingency plans for St Patrick's Day, and other holidays, by pre-booking hotel rooms and block booking rooms in advance.
She said it was always a challenge but there are plans in place around these demands.
Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, Ms Gleeson said that families may be asked to leave for other reasons but any family that is asked to leave a hotel should contact the Executive and they will find alternative accommodation for them.
She said there are just over 1,000 families in emergency accommodation, with around 60 families a month becoming homeless, but that number has not increased from 1,000 since last October.
Ms Gleeson added the fundamental problem is a lack of housing and it will be a couple of years before that problem is resolved.
She said a lot of work is being done to keep families in their homes.
