The executive and SNP clashed over the statistics

The executive promised to "ensure no-one has to sleep rough by 2003", but a report published on Tuesday suggested this has not been achieved.

Homeless charity Shelter Scotland said extra funding must be used to support homeless people with complex needs.

And the Scottish National Party accused the executive of releasing statistics which amounted to "a total fallacy".

'On track'

Deputy Social Justice Minister Des McNulty welcomed statistics contained in the report, monitoring the target of the need to sleep rough in 2003.

He said a 14% drop in the number of rough sleepers demonstrated the success of the executive's Rough Sleepers' Initiative.

The executive was "on track" to removing the need to sleep rough, the minister said.

Statistics show there were 404 people reported to have been sleeping rough at least once a week in October 2002.

This compared to 471 people the previous year.

The report revealed when 80 people reported sleeping rough there were 164 beds available across Scotland.

These people are sleeping rough because they are excluded from the accommodation available Liz Nicholson Shelter Scotland

Mr McNulty said there were more beds available than the number of people sleeping rough.

"It will never be entirely possible to stop people from sleeping rough," he said.

"But the executive has put substantial resources into providing a network of accommodation and services so that those who find themselves on the streets can quickly connect with the help and support they need."

He said new legislation in the Homelessness (Scotland) Bill, which is due before parliament for its third reading, would offer additional powers to tackle the problem.

But Shelter Scotland director Liz Nicholson said the statistics highlighted by the executive did not reflect the extent of the problem.

Shelter Scotland said problems remained

"Many rough sleepers are unable to stay in hostels because they find them intimidating and hostile," she said.

"Others are excluded because of mental ill health and drug misuse.

"These people are sleeping rough because they are excluded from the accommodation available."

It would take "more than a few extra beds to tackle rough sleeping," she added.

'Total fantasy'

SNP social justice spokeswoman Linda Fabiani said the executive had failed to fulfil its rough sleepers' pledge.

The MSP accused it of changing its target date from 2002 to a year later and failing to deliver.