Public Expenditure Minister Defends €10bn Surplus Amid Record Homelessness Figures

137 adults were homeless in the midlands last month.

The Public Expenditure Minister has defended the government's €10 billion surplus amid record levels of homelessness. 

Last week, government figures revealed close to 12,000 people were homeless in March, including over 1,600 families. 

137 of those adults were in the midlands.

62 adults accessed emergency accommodation in Westmeath, 52 were Offaly, and 23 in Laois, which was the only county in the region to remain unchanged.

71 children were also without permanent accommodation in the region last month, according to figures from the Department of Housing.

Meanwhile, the Exchequer expects to record a €16.2 billion surplus in 2024, and a €10 billion surplus this year.

Asked about the morality of the situation, Minister Paschal Donohoe say he has to balance the future needs of the country with its current problems:

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