Homelessness has reached another record high with 16,766 people accessing emergency accommodation last month.
The final publication of the Department of Housing's homelessness figures before Christmas shows that 11,492 adults and 5,274 children accessed emergency accommodation in October.
It is a rise of 152 compared to September when a total of 16,614 accessed emergency accommodation.
The rise in the number of homeless children has grown by 36 since September.
Over the 12 months since October 2024, the data reveals an increase of 1,800 people (12%) in emergency accommodation.
According to data from the Department of Housing, 6,873 were men, marking a 9.6% (603) increase over the year.
Some 4,619 were women, marking a 14% (568) increase over the year, while 5,274 were children, showing a 13.5% (629) rise in the same period.
A total of 267 were over 65, marking a 17.6% (40) increase over the year.
Sinn Féin's housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin said this is the "highest level of adult and child homelessness in modern history".
Speaking at Leinster House, Mr Ó Broin said there has been an "increase in every category of homelessness".
He said the figures come after the RTB published figures showing a "significant" 35% increase in termination notices issued by landlords.
"Not only is homelessness at a record high," said Mr Ó Broin. "It is going to continue to rise month after month unless the Government takes emergency action."
He called on Minister for Housing James Browne to introduce an emergency ban on evictions for six months.
"We need the Government to realise the folly of their recent housing plan," said Mr Ó Broin.
"Unless James Browne, Micheál Martin and Simon Harris want to see the highest levels of homelessness on Christmas Day, they need to move quickly to introduce an emergency ban on evictions," he said.
Mr Ó Broin also expressed concern for vulnerable groups.
It comes after the National Women's Council released a report on the link between the housing crisis and violence against women.
"In many cases, women are forced to remain in the home with an abusive partner," he said.
Mr Ó Broin said "people who are most vulnerable" are at risk of homelessness.
"But when you start to have almost 17,000 people and 6,000 children in emergency accommodation, it shows you that this is a much wider issue," he added.
Record number of homeless children 'heartbreaking'
Focus Ireland described the record number of homeless children this Christmas as "heartbreaking".
Its CEO Pat Dennigan has pointed out that for many, it will be their second or even third year opening their presents in emergency accommodation.
Mr Dennigan said children who are homeless are "having their childhoods stolen one day at a time".
"This is wrong and we can, and must, end this human crisis," he said.
Depaul described the current situation as being "at an inflection point".
Its CEO David Carroll said the Government's 'Delivering Homes, Building Communities' housing plan represents a huge opportunity to get housing supply and the homelessness crisis on track in this country.
"We are now keen to see specific targets for reduction, as evidence of this ambition and to guide delivery of this."
Overall, the homeless charities welcomed the Government’s housing strategy, announced earlier this month, but the general consensus appears to be that it will be judged by results.
Executive Director of the Simon Communities of Ireland Ber Grogan said the levels of homelessness will continue to grow in 2026, unless urgent solutions are delivered.
She also pointed out that this Christmas an additional 629 children will face "the harsh reality of homelessness" compared to last year.
"While children and families remain deeply affected, single adults are often the forgotten group and unfortunately they remain largely absent from the newly launched housing plan," she said.
Dublin Simon said that while the recently published housing plan sets out how the Government intends to address the crisis, the final homelessness report of the year shows that it continues to deepen.
It said that 16,766 people in emergency accommodation requires immediate action.
When it comes to the citizenship of those accessing emergency accommodation last month, 50% were Irish, 29.8% were non-EEA (European Economic Area) while 20% were UK/EEA citizens.
