The number of people in emergency accommodation rose again last month to 17,517, an increase of 209 on February's figures.
According to the Department of Housing, there were 11,946 adults and 5,571 children homeless last month.
The number of children in emergency accommodation in March rose by 114 compared to February, eclipsing the rise in the number adults in emergency accommodation, which saw an increase of 95.
Homelessness figures surpassed 17,000 (17,112) for the first time in January.
The latest homeless figures show 59.7% of adults in emergency accommodation are men and 40.3% are women.
Irish citizens made up less than half of the adults in emergency accommodation, with 5,591 or 49.8%.
There are 2,321 adults in emergency accommodation from the EEA/UK, or 19.4%, and 3,674 adults from outside the EEA, or 30.8%.
Child homelessness is up 19% in the year since March 2025.
There has also been a 20% (447) increase in family homelessness over the year.
Focus Ireland, which launched its strategy to tackle homelessness this week, has called for more urgent action from the Government.
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The charity said that one action it could take is to ensure more families and individuals who are long-term homeless are given access to a significant portion of social housing as it becomes available.
The Simon Communities of Ireland noted a 17% (310) increase in the number of 18-24 year olds becoming homeless over the past 12 months.
The figures also show a 63.3% increase in the number of single adults living in emergency accommodation compared to five years ago in 2021.
Simon Communities Executive Director Ber Grogan said there was no sign of the figures reversing despite monthly increases.
The latest report also shows a rise in the number of people in emergency accommodation in Dublin which now stands at 12,465.
CEO Catherine Kenny said described it as "a generational crisis, with no one single cause".
"We know what the solutions are, the whole sector has been urging the government with very specific asks, but the action is too slow compared to the pressures," she said.
Watch: Homelessness 'far too high' - Tánaiste
Tánaiste Simon Harris has said homelessness is "far too high" and "any homeless child in particular is something that cannot be accepted".
He said the government is providing more social homes but not yet seeing the benefit in terms of a reduction in child homelessness.
"We have asked all local authorities to come back and let us know how they intend to enact that part of the housing plan.
"Because there has to be a greater correlation between providing social housing and making progress in relation to child and family homelessness."
He said he will be seeking an update on this and said that housing remains the biggest domestic issue and that it must remain an emergency.
Minister Harris said there is a specific action plan being put in place to tackle child and family homelessness and he hopes it will be published before the summer recess.
He also referred to the increase in people who leave direct provision centres and end up homeless. He said the Government has seen a significant rise over a sustained period of time, particularly in Dublin.
He added that there is a need for closer collaboration and cooperation in that area.
Housing minister failing to meet social and affordable housing targets, says Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin's housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin has said that one of the contributing factors to the relentless rise in homelessness, was the decision by Minister for Housing James Browne to "slash funding" for vital homeless prevention schemes such as tenant-in-situ.
Deputy Ó Broin has published analysis of 18 local authorities which shows a 66% reduction in the number of social housing acquisitions in 2025 compared to 2024.
There was also a 69% reduction in tenant-in-situ acquisitions.
Watch: Opposition TDs react to rising number of people in emergency accommodation
Figures he obtained show that the cut was more dramatic when it came to homeless prevention schemes like tenant-in-situ.
Dublin City and Fingal were down 73%, Cork City down 65%, Galway City down 73%, Waterford down 70% and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown down 95%.
"This means that hundreds of homes that could have been bought to prevent families becoming homeless were not purchased.
"As a result, many families with children were forced into homelessness unnecessarily," he said.
In a statement, Deputy Ó Broin questioned why the minister would cut funding for "a successful homeless prevention scheme, the result of which is an increase in homelessness".
He said Minister Browne was failing to meet his social and affordable housing targets and removing vital protections for renters, resulting in "even higher rip off rents".
Rising homeless figures should not be considered 'normal' - Labour
The Labour Party's Spokesperson on Housing Conor Sheehan said it was important to remember that the figures are the "worst ever recorded in the history of the State".
He said: "I think that's something that gets lost a lot because we're used to the monthly, depressing vista of ever rising homelessness in this country.
"But it is important at the outset to remember that this is and should not be considered in any way normal for such a wealthy country.
"There's 17,517 adults who are now homeless, including 5571 children and the policy decisions taken by Minister James Brown since he came into office last year have worsened this."
Dublin Central communities 'failed by the State' - Social Democrats
Social Democrats spokesperson on housing Rory Hearne said he expected the issue of homelessness and housing to be a key issue in the Dublin Central bye-election.
Speaking outside Leinster House, he said: "Dublin Central as a constituency, Gardiner Street, the northeast inner city, has a hugely disproportionate people living in emergency accommodation.
"The communities around there have been failed by the State, and it is going to be an issue, there's no doubt about it.
"It's coming up in the doors when we're canvassing, people are saying, you know, in terms of homelessness, what they're seeing, and families going in and living in absolutely inappropriate accommodation, children having to do homework on their laps, not being able to have birthday parties, not be able to have friends back, and living in completely inappropriate accommodation with huge mental health and developmental impacts."
