A charity moved almost 600 homeless persons to more permanent accommodation last year using guaranteed beds to encourage them to stay in touch with their project worker.

Charities have warned that the Government still has a very long way to go in fully addressing the homelessness crisis after latest figures indicated a fall in the number of people in emergency accommodation during December.

There has been an 8% drop in the number of families in emergency accommodation.

The homelessness and rent crisis is a long way from being solved and will require increased building of homes over many years, according to Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy.

Almost 20 babies have been born into homelessness in Ireland.

Almost 20 babies have been born into homelessness in Ireland.

The homelessness charity Depaul has said the need for its services has grown but the numbers it's able to help has actually fallen.

Depaul have announced that they will open a new emergency night service in Dublin.

Homelessness charities have welcomed the €28m allocated by the Government to provide additional emergency homeless accommodation.

There are 1,054 families with 2,177 children in homeless accommodation around the country.

As showcased in the January 2016 figures released by the Department of the Environment, homelessness figures have reached record-high levels. That 5715 people, including 884 families with 1830 children, are in homeless accommodation across Ireland is heart-breaking.

The proportion of children accompanying adults into homelessness is rising. Dept of Environment figures show the number of people becoming homeless in Dublin rose by five per cent in a three-month period while the number of children becoming homeless rose by almost 30%.

The homeless charity Depaul last night called for immediate action to alleviate the plight of those living rough on the streets.

The number of people living on the streets will continue to rise unless the Government puts in place sufficient accommodation for those in need, according to a leading charity.

AGED 25, with long dark hair and pearly-white teeth, Lisa Kevitt should have the world at her feet.

The Government is being urged to deal with the alcohol abuse problem in Ireland, sooner rather than later.

EVERYONE knows you can get to work a little late on your last day.

Politicians and the public were today urged to pledge their support to protecting vulnerable households from further cuts.