CSO figures show close to 150,000 people arriving in the year to April.
Immigration to Ireland has reached a 17-year high, according to figures released by the Central Statistics Office.
There were almost 150,000 people arriving in the country in the 12 months to April.
The figures show that of these, 30,000 were returning Irish citizens, 27,000 were other EU citizens and 5,400 were UK citizens.
The remaining 86,800 immigrants were citizens of other countries.
Nearly 2,000 seekers are currently being accommodated in the midlands, with 838 in Westmeath, 532 in Laois, and 421 in Offaly.
Economist David W Higgins says the increase in the population will put more pressure on the Government to build houses:
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