The number of people sleeping rough in Dublin city-centre is at an all time high, new figures from the main homelessness charities show.
Some 237 people sleep rough on any given night in the capital, according to the Dublin Simon Community and Focus Ireland.
The number comes from a survey carried out over six weeks between January 12th and February 29th this year by six organisations including Dublin City Council, the Homeless Persons Unit, Merchant's Quay as well as Focus Ireland and Dublin Simon.
The charities released the figures in a strong rejection of suggestions at the weekend that numbers had fallen below 100.
Mr Bob Jordan, of Dublin Simon, said those involved in the count had been surprised and disappointed numbers had not fallen three years into the action plan on Dublin homelessness, Shaping The Future, published in 2001.
Ms Mary Higgins, director of the Homeless Agency, pointed out that feedback from those working with the homeless was that rough sleeping had decreased dramatically in Dublin.
