Report reveals extent of childhood homelessness in Dublin

A new Salvation Army report has today revealed disturbing levels of childhood homelessness in Dublin.

The report found almost half of the respondents had experienced homelessness before the age of 18 - and among those, the average age was just 15.

Many of the respondents experienced social exclusion - with 29% having no close friends, and almost 50% lacking a close parental relationship.

The report also found a high level of drug or alcohol dependency - and more than half the respondents had a significant mental health issue.

"A very large proportion of those interviewed who were homeless before the age of 18 had very poor relationships with parents in childhood," said Salvation Army spokesperson Alan Watters.

"Those individuals were more likely to have been homeless as children - and in turn that group...were far more likely to experience negative later-life experiences."