Update: 'Sensible' for independent body to record homeless figures, says Labour TD

Pressure is mounting on the Housing Minister to explain the latest homeless figures.

Update: 'Sensible' for independent body to record homeless figures, says Labour TD

Update: 9.40am: Pressure is mounting on the Housing Minister to explain the latest homeless figures.

The April stats show a slight drop to 9,652 - but the department took around 300 people off the final tally, saying they are actually in homes and not emergency accommodation.

Homeless charities say more details are needed and that the CSO should have responsibility for publishing the figures.

Labour's Jan O'Sullivan agrees, saying it would be "sensible".

"The last two months there have been rows over people who are in council houses but don't have a tenancy - whether they should be counted or not," said Ms O'Sullivan.

"I think it would be sensible to have an independent body counting them."

Earlier: Responsibility for publishing homeless figures should be taken away from Government, says Focus Ireland

Focus Ireland says responsibility for publishing homeless figures should be taken away from the government.

The charity is calling for the Central Statistics Office to take over after the Department of Housing's April figures showed a slight drop to 9,652.

But the department took around 300 people out of the figures, saying they are actually in homes and not emergency accommodation.

Roughan McNamara from Focus Ireland says confusion over the numbers needs to be cleared up.

"We need to get away from squabbling about the numbers...and have an agreed format as there was in place into who is and isn't homeless," said Mr McNamara.

"This doesn't get away from the fact we are still in a crisis and the Government still isn't delivering enough homes and there is still a constant flow of families becoming homeless.

"It doesn't hide the fact that there is not enough being done on this issue."

- Digital Desk

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

DUP Hold Crunch Meeting To Decide On Return To Stormont Jeffrey Donaldson steps down as DUP leader amid ‘historical’ sex offence charges
Berlin UKB Hospital Is Among Germany's Most Modern Nearly 10,000 people left waiting on trolleys across country in March
Spring weather Mar 28th 2024 Here's what to expect from weather and travel this Easter weekend
War_map
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited