A record 19,000 migrant workers from eastern Europe registered to work here last month, new figures show.
Figures compiled by the Department of Social and Family Affairs show the number of people from former EU accession states being issued with Personal Public Service (PPS) numbers is continuing to accelerate to record levels.
The majority of the 19,000 who received PPS numbers last month were Poles (13,910), followed by Lithuanians (1,725), Slovakians (1,266), Latvians (842) and Czechs (621). The remainder were issued to citizens of other new EU member states, including Hungary, Estonia, Slovenia, Malta and Cyprus.
The numbers bring the overall total of PPS numbers issued to citizens from new EU member states since accession in May 2004 to 251,032.
When broken down by nationality, this cumulative total shows that most PPS numbers over the last two years have been issued to Poles (147,659), Lithuanians (40,237), Slovakians (20,312), Latvians (20,301), Czechs (10,302), Hungarians (7,162) and Estonians (4,477).
These statistics are not a definitive indication of migration to Ireland, however. They represent those who have signed up for PPS numbers, but do not show how many may have since returned to their home country.
Most statisticians say the numbers still resident here are likely to be much smaller.
The best measure of immigration into Ireland will be contained in census data due to be published early next year, which will provide a breakdown of the population by nationality.
The latest figures come at a time when there is rising concern over the welfare of migrant workers who have difficulty finding work or accommodation.
Some providers of services to the homeless community have reported a dramatic rise in the number of newly arrived migrants seeking support or assistance.
They say the level of hardship have been made worse by welfare restrictions imposed by the Government.
The extent of homelessness among such workers is difficult to assess. The Homeless Agency says there has been a rise in demand, but has avoided issuing a figure.
The Polish embassy, meanwhile, has estimated that up to 600 of its citizens are accessing services for homeless people.
The Department of Social and Family Affairs has said that welfare restrictions - known as the habitual residency condition - are being kept under active review.
Until recently Ireland, the UK and Sweden were the only countries which fully opened their labour markets to workers from new EU states. Since June, Spain, Finland, Greece and Portugal have also opened their labour markets to workers from former accession states.
While it is at an early stage, latest PPS figures suggest the opening of other labour markets is having little affect on the number of eastern Europeans seeking work here.
PPS NUMBERS: issued since May 2004
The number of Personal Public Service (PPS) numbers issued to citizens of new EU states since May 2004.
Poland147,659
Lithuania 40,237
Slovakia 20,312
Latvia 20,301
Czech Republic 10,302
Hungary 7,162
Estonia 4,477
Slovenia 192
Malta 324
Cyprus 66
Total: 251,032
