'Dark day' as 5,000 kids homeless

THE 5,000 homeless children in Ireland are being "institutionalised" by the State, as new figures show the landmark high of homelessness in the country.

- BY CATE McCURRY

In its monthly update, the Department of Housing said that a total of 16,058 people are now living in emergency accommodation.

This includes 5,014 children and 2,343 families who were homeless at the end of July.

It is the first time the number of homeless children has surpassed 5,000 - in what has been described as a “dark” and “shameful” day.

Some opposition TDs said that homeless children will become the next “institutional abuse scandal” to hit the State.

The new figures set another new record of the number of people in emergency accommodation in Ireland.