Hansard, 56, appeared in The Commitments, was the frontman for the Irish band The Frames and was part of various protests over the years.

The Dublin Simon Community said more than 15,000 people in emergency accommodation was ‘a number previously thought inconceivable’

In 10 of the 16 areas, there were no HAP properties available to rent through the scheme in any household category.

It includes more than 4,000 children for the first time in the history of the State