There's been a further increase in the number of people in emergency accommodation, with the number reaching 10,338 in August.

The latest homeless report released by the Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy show 6,490 homeless adults - down slightly compared to the previous month.

However, the number of children in emergency accommodation has jumped to 3,848 - an increase of 70 compared to July.

The figures show there were 1,726 families experiencing homelessness last month.

The overall number of 10,338, meanwhile, represents a rise of 63 people in a month.

Homeless figures first surpassed the 10,000 mark for the first time in March.

While the numbers have fluctuated in the months since then, they have now remained above 10,000 for seven months in a row.

Responding to the latest figures, Sinn Féin's Eoin Ó Broin said the increase in the number of children in emergency accommodation was "dramatic".

August homeless report shows dramatic increase in the number of children in @HousingPress funded emergency accommodation. 6,490 adults (-7) & 3,848 children (+70). For the 7th month in a row the homeless has remained above 10,000 (10,338 in August) pic.twitter.com/9d1n9OWuyU — Eoin Ó Broin (@EOBroin) September 30, 2019

The Simon Communities in Ireland described the numbers as "dismaying".

National spokesperson Wayne Stanley said social and affordable housing must be a focus of next week's Budget.

He argued: “These figures must be seen by Government as a call to action, or we are at risk of seeing another winter of increased levels of homelessness, the fourth since the launch of Rebuilding Ireland.

"The pace of building much-needed social and affordable homes is too slow and there is an over-reliance on a private rental sector that has long been struggling to cope with demand."

He added: "It’s vital that the Government now shows ambition and provides hope in Budget 2020 by taking meaningful action to address this."

Main image: File photo of Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy. Photo: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie