"Ad hoc" volunteers feeding rough sleepers and handing out tents can't solve years of "bad behaviour."

That's according to the director of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive who says unofficial groups aren't helping people in the long run.

Eileen Gleeson says homeless people wouldn't be camping on the banks of the Royal Canal if volunteers weren't "going down there to feed them".

And she says they're not being linked into services when they're being helped by people trying to do the right thing.

Her comments have caused major controversy sparking a renewed debate on the role of volunteers in the crisis.

Mike Allen from Focus Ireland admits it's a difficult balance between state services and volunteers.