THE NUMBER OF people sleeping rough on the streets of Dublin has risen by 25 per cent, the latest figures have revealed.

A count by Inner City Helping Homeless (ICHH) earlier this week found 98 people ‘fed and clothed’ sleeping rough, an increase on previous counts.

The organisation notes that this coincides with the end of the HSE’s Winter Initiative, with provided 100 extra beds over the winter for the homeless over the winter months.

“With more people being forced onto the streets with a lack of beds in Dublin the problem is only going to get worse,” ICHH said, adding that its resources have been stretched to the limit recently.

They are warning against further bed closures in the Dublin area as more people, particularly families, require emergency accommodation.

There is currently 99 per cent occupancy in such accommodation in the city.

The EU recently increased Irish funding for homeless services from €1.5m to €3m, with a focus on tackling food poverty.

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