Sinn Fein's Maria McCormack says a lack of local emergency accommodation contributes to rising numbers.
A Laois Senator is warning that homelessness in Ireland is becoming 'dangerously normalised' and is a national disgrace.
Maria McCormack says there's been a sharp rise in homelessness, now exceeding 17,300 people.
She blames years of underinvestment and missed housing targets.
She wants urgent government action to deliver affordable housing and prevent further homelessness.
The Sinn Féin rep says families in Laois are being forced out of their communities due to a lack of local emergency accommodation:
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