Homeless crisis will get worse, agency warns

The homelessness crisis has reached “unprecedented” levels and will only worsen as the winter approaches, the largest homelessness and drug agency in the country has warned.

Merchants Quay Ireland said the “harsh reality” was reflected in a 19% increase last year in healthcare interventions, a 28% jump in GP visits, and the provision of 1,500 meals every week.

The agency has called on the Government to increase the level of emergency accommodation and to use the likes of McKee Barracks as a reception centre for the 1,000 children forced to live with their parents in B&Bs.