ISPCC alarmed at growing levels of child homelessness

The Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) has reportedly expressed alarm at the continuing high levels of child homelessness in Ireland.

Reports this morning said new figures from the Health Service Executive showed that the number of children officially listed as homeless had increased in six of the eight health-board areas in 2004.

A total of 492 were officially listed as homeless, 210 of them in the eastern region that encompasses Dublin and its surrounding areas.

The ISPCC reportedly believes drug usage and alcoholism are among the main factors causing young people to become homeless.