Homeless crisis out of control in Dublin

Government vows to end long-term homelessness by 2016 will fail as 1,400 people a night are seeking emergency shelter in Dublin, campaigners have claimed.

The Simon Community said the crisis is spiralling out of control as the use of hostels, hotels and B&Bs to house people is becoming the long-term solution.

Chief executive Sam McGuinness said every day the most vulnerable are being hit with a complex mix of housing shortages, soaring rents, inadequate allowances and discrimination against people on welfare.