Lorraine and her two daughters have found themselves in a predicament they never envisaged.
The landlord of the house they rented for many years needed the property back for a family member, which Lorraine understood entirely.
However, when she searched for alternative accommodation, she realised she could be facing homelessness.
Her landlord, with whom she had a "fantastic" relationship, extended the time that Lorraine and her daughters could stay at the property.
But in the end, the part-time Assistant Parish Secretary had to move into emergency accommodation with her two girls.
That was 14 weeks ago, and it has been "traumatic" and "difficult".
"I asked my youngest daughter this morning what was the worst thing for her, and she said I've no space for myself, I can't be on my own."
Lorraine's oldest daughter is 14 and has additional needs, including hypermobility.
Having been told that the move to emergency accommodation would be for a short time, questions are now being asked.
Lorraine explained that she was doing everything she could, including writing to every politician she could think of.
"They've all heard from me. The only person I haven't emailed is Michael D Higgins, and I'm not sure if he would be able to do anything for me. I've been in touch with everybody, and I just keep on advocating and ringing and letting people know I'm here."
Due to her daughters' mobility issues, Lorraine had an "open door policy" in their last home.
It was the "place to go" for pizza parties. Friends were allowed over whenever they wanted. That social outlet is now gone.
"To see my children so upset, it's very, very hard because I'm supposed to be the provider. As a parent, you're supposed to be able to provide these things. And I do everything I can, and I still can't do it. It's very disheartening."
Watch: Mother describes being made homeless as 'traumatic'
Lorraine has witnessed newborn babies being brought back to the emergency accommodation, which she has found "absolutely heartbreaking".
There are now almost 5,000 children living in emergency accommodation in Ireland, but it is a problem that has been growing for years.
Need for action
The Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin told the Oireachtas Housing Committee this week that when he was a councillor in 2014, there were 880 children in emergency accommodation.
That has now risen by over 400%.
In June last year, child homelessness in Ireland reached a record high. There was dismay at the time, but it continued to grow.
By October, the number of children in emergency accommodation surpassed 4,600, resulting in increasing calls for action from the next government.
As 2025 rolled in, homeless figures rose again, and with it, the number of homeless children.
In April, there was a new "record high" of 4,775, and this has been followed by another "record high" when 69 more children entered emergency accommodation last month.
At the Oireachtas Housing Committee this week, the Children's Ombudsman Dr Niall Muldoon expressed his exasperation over the issue.
He described the impact of homelessness and unstable living conditions on children as "catastrophic", affecting every aspect of their lives; education, well-being, self-development.
Dr Muldoon called for a specific child and family homelessness strategy to finally tackle the issue.
"If we can figure out a way to take as many children as possible out of homelessness and to prevent as many children as possible from entering homelessness, it will make a serious impact on the overall homelessness issue," he said.
Opposition politicians have been highlighting the need for action.
Speaking on the plinth following the publication of the latest figures, Mr Ó Broin said the increase in the number of children forced into emergency accommodation since 2014 was down to bad Government policy.
"One thing is certain the people responsible for all the children who will tonight sleep in emergency accommodation are the Taoiseach Micheál Martin, the Tánaiste Simon Harris and the Minster for Housing James Browne.
"This is their responsibility, and until they accept that and do something about it, we are going to see even more children spend more time in emergency accommodation," he said.
'Shameful milestone'
The Social Democrats housing spokesperson called the latest child homelessness figures "a shameful milestone".
Rory Hearne said the figures were a "direct result of policy choices made by the Government", adding such failures are "intolerable and inexcusable".
"The state could be facing a national redress scheme for children who have been in emergency accommodation," he said.
The Labour Party has been highlighting the growing number of children who are entering emergency accommodation for some time.
Today, its Housing Spokesperson Conor Sheehan said it "beggared belief" that Ireland was running an €8 billion surplus while failing to keep children out of homelessness and called for "an urgent reset" in housing policy to deal with the scale of the crisis.
Lorraine, who is being supported by Focus Ireland's family support team, has worked hard all her life from the age of 16 and volunteered in the community.
Giving back to others is part of her nature, and yet there is an irony that the community where she now finds herself homeless is the one to which she gave so much.
She does not blame the council for her situation, she points her finger squarely at the Government.
"I kept up my end of the social contract. We all have a social contract that we enter into. But the Government haven't."
Focus Ireland CEO Pat Dennigan said the latest homeless figures show "the Government's current approach to homelessness is failing".
"There needs to be far more urgency in the Government's response to help end this terrible human crisis," he added.
RTÉ News asked the Department of Housing for a response in relation to the continuing growing number of children in emergency accommodation.
It produced a statement that did not specifically address the issue of child homelessness.
It said: "Supporting people and families experiencing homelessness is a priority for this Government. The department is working closely every day with local authorities and NGOs to support exits from homelessness.
"In the following weeks and months, we will be announcing more reforms and changes to ensure we deliver the right amount and type of homes for all who need them".
