More accommodation needed for immigrants, says agency

The Homeless Agency has said a system of short-term accommodation for people arriving here from the new EU countries needs to be established.

This follows reports that hundreds of immigrants have been accessing services for homeless people.

Polish people are the most in need, with 600 using homeless services here.

The Agency also said that a separate Government department should be set up to deal with the increasing number of EU accession country immigrants in Ireland.

The Homeless Agency’s deputy director Jo Ahern says more information about job requirements, especially in the construction industry, must be supplied for them.

She also said short-term accommodation services should go a long way to eradicating the homelessness problem and prevent it from growing out of control.