Record homeless figures a ‘social catastrophe’, Cork TD says

New figures published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage show the number of adults accessing emergency accommodation in Cork has risen to a record high 633 for the month of February 2025.

That is an increase on the figure for the month of January, which saw 611 adults accessing emergency accommodation in Cork.

In February, there were 99 families living in emergency accommodation in the Cork and Kerry region, among them 212 children.

Nationally, 15,378 people were living in emergency accommodation last month, according to the latest figures from the department.

The figures also show that of those living in emergency accommodation in February, 4,653 were children.

Social Democrats TD for Cork South-Central Pádraig Rice said the figures illustrate the need for an emergency response.

“These figures are shockingly high. It’s a social catastrophe,” he said.

“We now have record high rents and record high house prices.

“If the Government rip away rent pressure zones without a solid alternative, things will only get worse.”

Mr Rice added: “What we need is an emergency, covid-style, all-of-Government response to this housing crisis.

“This means measures such as a no-fault eviction ban, the full reinstatement of the tenant in situ scheme, and the introduction of a French-type State savings scheme to leverage some of the €160bn in Irish household savings for investment in affordable housing.”

Labour Party councillor for the Cork City North East ward, John Maher, described the homeless figures for February as a “failure of housing policy” by the current Government.

“In Cork city, families are struggling to keep a roof over their heads and more and more single people are at risk of homelessness.

“Government cannot continue to stand idly by while homelessness reaches unprecedented levels.”

Mr Maher added: “The crisis we are seeing in Cork city and across the country is not inevitable, it is the result of political choices.

“The Government’s failure to act is condemning thousands of people, including children, to homelessness.

“Unless the Government finds the political will to act, homelessness will continue to spiral.

“The people of Cork city and beyond deserve better.”