31st October 2025
The Simon Communities of Ireland (SCI) has expressed grave concern at the latest figures showing yet another increase in the number of men, women, and children experiencing homelessness as the country heads into the cold winter months. The number of children being forced to experience the trauma of homelessness is now a staggering 5,238.
The latest figures from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage show 16,614 men, women and children were living in emergency accommodation in September 2025.
Over the 12 months since September 2024, the data reveals an increase of 1,854 people (12.6%) in emergency accommodation:
- 2,443 were families, marking a 14.5% (310) increase over the year
- 5,238 were children, showing a 14.8% (677) rise in the same period
- 1,974 were 18-24 year olds, marking a 12.2% (214) increase over the year
- 261 were over 65 year olds, marking a 15.0% (34) increase over the year
The number of children experiencing homelessness shamefully surpassed 5,000 in July 2025, followed by a dramatic increase of 131 more children in August. The September figures released today show that number has increased again – this time by 93 – bringing the number of children forced to experience the trauma of homelessness to 5,238 – an increase of 4.5% in just two months.
Ber Grogan, Executive Director of the Simon Communities of Ireland, said:
“Successive governments have failed the children of Ireland and should be ashamed that 5,238 children are living in emergency accommodation. Children should be thinking about dressing up and going trick or treating, not wondering where they’ll sleep tonight. Families should be planning fun activities – not counting how many nights they have left in an emergency bed. Young people should be starting their lives, not starting adulthood in homelessness.
In a country that prides itself on progress, the length of time that some of these children have spent in insecure and inappropriate accommodation because of a lack of appropriate move-on options, is disgraceful. We urgently need an all of government response to deal with this crisis and save children from the trauma of homelessness.”
ENDS
For further information contact Aileen Gaskin 087 7724 717 /
