There will be a steady rise in the number of people without homes in Ireland, according to the addiction and homelessness charity Merchants Quay Ireland.

As part of the group's Lenten appeal for their Sunday Service, a weekly dinner provided for Dublin's homeless population, CEO Paula Byrne said that lifting of eviction bans will lead to more people becoming homeless for the first time.

"Since last year, homelessness in Ireland has grown by a staggering 10%," she said.

"The latest figures from the Department of Housing show that we now have over 9,000 people homeless and, in the coming months, with the lifting of eviction bans, the reality of COVID job losses setting in, as well as soaring rent prices and the cost of living continuing to rise, we are anticipating more people experiencing homelessness for the first time."

As well as providing a hot meal, Merchants Quay Ireland's Sunday Service also gives those in need showers, clean clothing and "crisis support to access accommodation", according to a press release.

MQI Project Worker William Carroll touched on the importance of Sunday Service, saying that "these men and women may have slept out all night long, and if it's their first time sleeping rough, they're often scared."

"If we can get something warm inside them, offer them a shower and a change of clothes, then we can have a sit down with them and ask, 'How are you feeling? What can we do?' Like all of us, if you're warm and your belly is full, you're much more open to a conversation than if you are freezing cold and hungry. It's a no brainer."

To support Merchants Quay Ireland, you can donate here.