Some 250 people homeless in midlands

There were 251 people accessing emergency accommodation in the midlands during November.

Official figures today show that the number of people registered as homeless nationally surpassed 15,000 for the first time.

Figures for November published by the Department of Housing show there were 15,199 people accessing emergency accommodation, up from 14,966 in October.

The figure includes 4,658 children and 10,541 adults.

In the midlands, there were 186 adults and 65 children accessing emergency accommodation.

The county breakdown provided only accounts for adults, with 78 adults in Westmeath reported to have accessed emergency accommodation in the county during the period November 18 to November 24, 62 in Offaly, 29 in Laois and 17 in Longford. Roscommon, which is included in the west region, had 17 adults accessing emergency accommodation.

Of the adults accessing emergency accommodation, 52% were Irish citizens, 22% were European Economic Area (European Union, Norway, Iceland or Lichenstein) or UK citizens and 26% non-EEA.