The Simon Community has reported that at least 55 homeless people died last year.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio's Morning Ireland, Chief Executive Patrick Burke said the average age of those who died was 42.
Mr Burke lamented the fact that 55 more people 'will not be sitting around the Christmas table this year, either with their families or with us in the Simon Community.'
'They have died tragically as a result of ill health in most cases, sometimes old age, but primarily these are people who died in the prime of their lives.'
The figures relate only to homeless individuals who had used the services of the Simon Community, so the actual number of homeless people who died in 2006 could be higher.
According to the charity's annual review 25 of those who died were based in Cork, 18 were from Dublin.
12 were based in Dundalk and Galway.
It is calling for comprehensive healthcare services for homeless people in order to meet the target of ending homelessness by 2010.
