The number of homeless people in Ireland has crossed 11,000 for the first time ever.
Figures from the Department of Housing show 11,397 people were accessing emergency accommodation in October.
This includes over 1,600 families, an increase of 69 on the previous month.
Meanwhile more than 3,400 were children or dependants that rose by 138 on September's figure.
Dublin has the highest number of people experiencing homelessness followed by Cork and Limerick.
"Devastated"
"Homelessness is traumatising at any age, and for older people, that trauma is compounded by the physical, mental and social challenges of age. No one should have to live in homelessness, and undoubtedly, no one should have to live their latter years in homelessness.
"It has been truly heart-breaking for our staff to see the growing number of older people arriving in emergency services and trying to navigate a system that is incredibly tough at the best of times. This should not be happening."
