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December Budget feared by some families

Government is being warned today that December's Budget could be the tipping point for some families between having a home and being homeless.

Focus Ireland, which is launching its pre-Budget submission today, said that the number of people contacting its support services over the past year increased by 18%.

More than 7,500 people benefited from Focus Ireland's support services last year, and this figure is growing, as more people struggle to make ends meet.

Director of advocacy at Focus Ireland Mike Allen said that any cutbacks would hit the most vulnerable hard.

"There shouldn't be any cuts to services for homeless people," he said

"The reality is that there is many people trapped in homelessness, or entering it, and needing advice and support that any cutbacks will really hit people hard,

"The second area that must not be cut is the rent supplement. Almost 100,000 people's homes depend on the level of rent supplement, and what we're seeing is an increasing number of people where those cut in rent supplement have been the straw that broke the camel's back for them in terms of pushing them into having to give up their home."