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The State must act as “a responsible housing manager” to tackle the homeless crisis, President Michael D Higgins has said.

Just under 7,000 people are in emergency accommodation and the president said it’s key that we build lots of social housing to help people get a roof over their heads.

He said: “When I was a young councillor, I was elected first in 1974 to Galway County Council, local authorities were building houses.

“The State centrally and the State locally has to come back into the picture in a very strong way as a responsible housing manager.

“You equally have to say, as well that, you cannot rely on solving this problem as a residue of the private market.”

President Higgins also voiced his support for the occupation of Apollo house by homeless campaigners.

(Image: Gareth Chaney Collins)

He told The Irish Daily Mail: “The great news now is, one, that consciousness has increased - the second is the willingness of volunteers to come forward... and the generosity of the people.

“Lurking in the background is the idea of... If you are asked to make a choice between what are near absolute rights of property that are being claimed and the immediate necessary rights of people to live, I think people are trying their best.

“But you need to be able to sort this out and say, ‘You need lots of social housing.’”

President Higgins praised Brother Kevin of the Capuchin Centre for his tireless work helping those in need.

He said: “But Brother Kevin can’t give a warm meal to a woman who comes in with her children from the hotel because she has no way of heating it up.

“She can’t take anything except a litre of milk because she has no access to a fridge.

“Well this is 2016 and you know, you should follow the path of these inadequacies and sort them.”

Reflecting on the centenary celebrations during the past twelve months, Mr Higgins reflected on the need for real change.

He said: “The other side of it is, in 2016, 100 years after the Rising.

“Michael Collins once spoke about walking down the streets of Dublin when it was free, but the point about it is, walking around Dublin that is being prepared for dereliction so that vulture funds can lean on the planning system is something we have to have a long think about.

“I think at the end of 2016, let’s look at the good news.

“Consciousness is raised, proposals are being put forward and good people are trying their best so 2017 can be a great year if we solve this problem that’s here for us at home.

“It’s not just in Dublin but in cities throughout Ireland.”