The Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel has announced an expansion of the services it provides to homeless veterans, amid growing demand.
Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann - or ONE - was formed in 1951, after the demobilisation that followed the Emergency years, during World War II
Over the last three quarters of a century, it has worked to assist veterans, especially those in need of homeless and mental health supports.
The charity says the dedicated accommodation it offers is a vital support to ex members of the Defence Forces, who are in need of transitional housing.
It provides housing at a number of locations around the country.
It is now expanding its service, with additional spaces at new homes in Cork, Limerick and Newbridge, in Co Kildare.
At an event to mark the 75th anniversary of ONE at Cathal Brugha Barracks in Dublin, President Catherine Connolly commended the work being carried out by the organisation.
She also the referenced the latest homeless data, published yesterday by the Department of Housing.
Stating that it was "important to give the figures", she detailed how 17,112 people, including 5,319 children, were residing in emergency accommodation in January of this year.
Adding that she was "choosing my words very carefully", President Connolly described these numbers as "a very sad reflection of the scale of the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis that prevails in our Republic."
ONE says it plans to further add to the locations where it has a presence, with extra accommodation in counties Louth and Galway, in the coming years.
