The number of homeless families in Dublin has surpassed 1,000 for the first time ever.

Homelessness nationally has also reached record figures, with 6,709 people now without a home around the country.

Figures released today show that over 1,000 families and almost 2,500 children are now homeless around the country.

Meanwhile, the Dublin Simon Community opened a new counselling service in Dublin today.

It is part of their 'Sure Steps' programme, and was launched by the Minister for Mental Health, Helen McEntee.

Simon's Sam McGuinness says it is in response to an increasing demand for counselling support.

Mr McGuinness said: "Preventing people from losing their homes is a critical issue by providing the counselling.

"And at the same time people who are resident in services who want to move on and need that help to actually get self-belief back and be secure in themselves and give them hope.

"That's very important."