If the current rate of people becoming homeless continues, there will be 8,300 people living in homeless accommodation when the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe announces details of Budget 2018.

Local authorities need to become involved in the collation of data on empty properties and derelict sites of all types and sizes – Brian Friel, National Director of Housing with Peter McVerry Trust.

Rough sleeper count in Dublin showed 59 people were sleeping rough in Spring 2011; now it is estimated to be 150 in Dublin and up to 224 people nationally.