Warning that Ireland's homeless numbers may rise 'significantly' in coming months

As Merchants Quay Ireland launches its Lenten campaign, the charity is warning that the number of people without a place to live is likely to increase further. File picture: PA

Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) has warned that homelessness is likely to rise “significantly” in the coming months due to a range of issues, including the lifting of Covid-19 precautionary measures and the likelihood of refugees coming to Ireland to escape the invasion of Ukraine.

The charity’s head of services, Niamh Donnelly, said MQI was already working on a full reopening of its Sunday service, which offers hot food and drinks from breakfast at 7.30am to lunch at 2.30pm, because of growing demand.