Homelessness figures have reached a record high with 12,411 people accessing emergency accommodation last month.
The figures, released by the Department of Housing, is a 1.4% increase on the previous month during which the eviction ban was lifted.
The figures are 20% higher than May last year.
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The figures 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.
The figures don’t include asylum seekers, refugees, women in refuge centres and the so-called hidden homeless.
Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien said he was disappointed by the increase in homelessness this month, but “unfortunately not surprised”.
“We are increasing supply [of housing] across the country, that is having an impact. We’re exiting more people into permanent homes,” he said.
Mr O’Brien said the increase is “significantly less” than has been seen in recent months, and while that is to be welcomed “that is no consolation for those who find themselves in emergency accommodation”.
Mr O’Brien acknowledged that some people entering emergency accommodation are coming from the private rental sector but said the decision to end the moratorium on evictions was “a difficult one but absolutely the correct one”.
In a statement, Peter McVerry Trust CEO Francis Doherty said, to turn the corner, a close look is required at the type of social housing that is being delivered.
“[Our] concern is that while housing output grows, the type of homes being delivered doesn’t adequately reflect the needs of people impacted by homelessness or even the main need of people on the wider social housing waiting lists,” he said.
“Almost 50% of the people in homelessness last month needed a one bed home, no other house type comes anywhere near that figure.
“This week if you looked at the total number of one-bedroom homes to buy on the market on daft.ie or myhome.ie of any type or price there are just around 600 nationally.
“So even if we bought every single one of those homes tomorrow you are only securing 10% of the homes we need to tackle the needs of single homeless people in May.”
Focus Ireland maintains the decision of the Government to end the no-fault eviction ban at the end of March this year is a major factor in homelessness rising.
Focus Ireland Director of Advocacy Mike Allen said: “As the eviction ban ended, we anticipated a surge in homelessness, and these figures regrettably confirm our concerns. It is terrible to see a 30% rise in family homelessness since this time last year.
“It feels as if the shocking monthly increases in homelessness have stunned the country and left us unable to take action.
“But this is not inevitable and perhaps we should start by looking at what we can do for the children who are homeless with their families.”
