Polish embassy officials in Dublin have estimated that up to 600 of its citizens who came to work here since the country joined the EU two years ago are now accessing services for homeless people, writes Carl O'Brien, Social Affairs Correspondent.
The estimate, based on daily contact with homeless service providers, comes at a time of growing concern over the welfare of migrant workers unable to get jobs or accommodation here.
Ambassador Witold Sobkow said the Polish embassy has been in discussion with the Departments of Justice, Social and Family Affairs and homeless service providers to consider ways of addressing the issue.
Mr Sobkow said: "It is a huge burden for charities at the moment. If there are too many, it can begin to threaten the hospitality we have received from the Irish people . . . There may be a role for both governments in addressing this."
He said officials in Poland were considering setting up an emergency fund to help citizens in need of support.
The Homeless Agency, the body responsible for co-ordinating homeless services in Dublin, says demand for food and advice services has increased noticeably among service providers since last year.
It has not put an estimate on the number of homeless migrants, but says most are aged between 18 and 50 and originate from Poland. Smaller numbers are from the Czech Republic, Latvia, Hungary, Lithuania, Slovenia and Slovakia.
Many agencies say welfare restrictions for foreign nationals, which the Government introduced to prevent "welfare tourism" in May 2004, are contributing to widespread hardship among those without jobs.
While many overcome such hardship quickly, charity workers say there are signs that growing numbers are becoming entrenched in homelessness.
Kieran Stenson, manger of Focus Ireland's open access service, said those with addiction problems or mental health difficulties were among those at the highest risk of long-term homelessness.
"Because there is no safety net for them; they're expected to be self-sufficient from the moment they arrive. The vast majority are, but those who aren't are forced into homelessness."
The Department of Social and Family Affairs says welfare restrictions are being kept under review. A "clarification" of the rules last year meant that migrants could claim supplementary welfare payments if they have worked previously. They were also able to access child benefit and one-parent family payments.