12,411 homeless.. up 20% in a year

Minister: Rise is unfortunate but not surprising

- NICOLA DONNELLY

HOMELESS figures have reached a record high with 12,411 people accessing emergency accommodation last month.

The statistics, released by the Department of Housing, show a 1.4% rise on the previous month during which the eviction ban was lifted.

The figures are 20% higher than May last year. They show that Dublin has the highest number of people registered as homeless at 9,160, including 2,802 children.

And nationally there are 3,699 children living in B&Bs, hotels and temporary accommodation.