The figures, published by the Department of Housing, include 4,675 children who were homeless and 10,743 adults.
The Department of Housing figures do not include those sleeping rough, couch surfing or in domestic violence refuge, nor does it include unaccommodated asylum seekers.
In the year since March 2024, the number of people in emergency accommodation has risen by 11pc.
Some 2,212 of those in emergency accommodation were families, while 1,798 were young people aged between 18 and 24.
According to the Department of Housing data, 796 adults exited emergency accommodation through a tenancy being created, while a further 850 were prevented from entering emergency accommodation.
Executive director of the Simon Communities of Ireland Ber Grogan said that four years ago, the number of people experiencing homeless stood at 8,060.
“That number has nearly doubled since then. It’s hard to fathom how we can reverse these figures in the next five years without urgent action,” she said.
“If we’re serious about ending homelessness by 2030, we need to start treating it like the crisis it is. Housing and homelessness must become a top priority for Government.
“Our latest Locked Out of the Market report highlights the severe shortage of options in the private rental sector. We need to act now to protect people from falling into homelessness. Prevention is not only the most economically sensible approach – it’s also the morally right thing to do.”
The chief executive of housing charity Depaul David Carroll said it is critical that the Government starts to “show evidence that they have a strong response to the homelessness crisis”.
“We are keen to see more preventative measures implemented to stop the flow of families, and individuals into the harsh reality of homelessness,” he said.
“We are also hugely concerned about the potential long term impact on the mental health of those in homelessness and this increasing number further compounds the potential numbers of those facing mental health issues as a result of experiencing homelessness.”
The Salvation Army said the new figures were “appalling” and pointed to more than 3,000 children in Dublin who are facing a summer in emergency accommodation.
“We do our utmost for families and single adults in every one of our Lifehouses across Dublin,” said Salvation Army homeless services Ireland lead Erene Williamson.
“But with school summer holidays approaching, it is appalling that for more than 3,000 children, what should be the most carefree time of their year, is spent in emergency accommodation.
“Our incredible staff work extremely hard to make sure places such as Houben House, Ireland’s largest family hub, are safe and comfortable refuges when families need us most. But do they not compare to the joy and contentment of independent living.”
The figures were counted over the course of the week between March 24 and March 30.
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