However, Focus Ireland warned of “potential increases in the coming months” and called on the Government to reintroduce the eviction ban and rent freeze to protect people fully during COVID-19.

“A social housing policy that relies so heavily on the private rented sector can never be the answer to the housing problem.”

SVP is still receiving an average of 1000 calls for help every day from worried families in the run-up to Christmas and is particularly concerned about some people in private rented accommodation.

“The question which is agitating the world today is a social one. It is a struggle between those who have nothing and those who have too much. It is a violent clash of opulence and poverty which is shaking the ground under our feet.” – SVP founder Frederic Ozanam.

Peter McVerry Trust believes the Government must still bring forward legislation to link rents to the Consumer Price Index before the year end.

“Most families in hotels and B&Bs are being forced into homelessness and emergency accommodation because of huge rent increases in private rental sector" - SVP.

The SVP has called on the Government to deliver its targets in 'Social Housing 2020' and expressed concern that the 2015 targets for new social housing won't be realised.

Barnardos urges Government to quickly address rising rents and serious lack of social housing.

Those who are struggling throughout Ireland have suffered enough SVP warns.