A protest to highlight the homeless crisis gripping Dublin is to take place in the capital today.
Inner City Helping Homeless will be pitching tents outside Dublin City Council in an attempt to highlight the ongoing housing emergency.
It will take place from 10.30am, only days after the the charity saw its highest ever count of people supported as 238 people were assisted by outreach teams.
ICHH CEO Anthony Flynn said: ''The visual protest is taking place to highlight the increasing number of people sleeping rough and to highlight the increase in the number of tents that are visible throughout the city.
"The number of tents around the city has increased by 28% in as little as six months, with nearly 40% of the overall rough sleeper figures now in tents.
"This is an epidemic, a crisis of epic proportions that needs a multi-agency approach to to solve. We have people who are working poor, people with mental health and or substance abuse issues.
"It's now time we form a task force on eradicating rough sleeping in our city. Many are citing problems such as unsuitable accommodation and don't want to enter state funded facilities because of rampant drug dealing.
"This can be tackled with the proper approach from the council.''
