Serious concerns have been raised over the high number of young homeless children.

St Vincent de Paul (SVP) said the latest CSO Census figures are of "grave concern" and has called for "urgent action".

The data revealed that children aged between 0-4 are now the largest single age group experiencing homelessness (765), said the Society.

In a statement, SVP said: "Homelessness has a significant impact on health – both mental and physical. Families who present as homeless do not have control over where they are located, and the uncertainty of not knowing whether you will be sleeping from one night to the next places extreme stress on an individual or family.

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"In addition, families typically do not have access to cooking facilities, and are forced to rely often on take-outs and convenience foods, with the resultant nutritional and health implications.

"As such it is not surprising that a lower percentage of homeless people considered themselves in good health (62% compared to 87% of the general population). In addition, nearly 12% of the homeless population were unable to work due to permanent sickness or disability, in contrast to 4.2% in the general population."

(CD/JP)