Over 700 people, including 229 children, were receiving support and accommodation from a domestic violence service in Ireland in just one 24-hour period, a new census has shown.

The one-day census was carried out by SAFE Ireland on November 5, 2013, in order to highlight the need for such services. According to SAFE Ireland CEO, Sharon O'Halloran, while the figures are shocking, most of the 37 domestic violence services that took part on the day noted that November 5 was actually a quieter day than usual.

On that day, 467 women and 229 children were receiving support and accommodation from domestic violence services. A total of 115 women and 155 children were being accommodated in refuges, while a further 16 women could not be admitted to a refuge because there was not enough space.

Meanwhile over the 24-hour period, 109 helpline calls were answered by services nationwide - that is almost five every hour.

Most of the women availing of services were aged between 26 and 45, although 64 were under the age of 25 and seven were over the age of 65. Twenty-four of the women were pregnant.

On that day, almost 700 people were either homeless already or were at risk of homelessness because their homes were not safe.

"The reality is that women and children are made homeless by domestic violence. They are a unique group within the homeless population because they are fleeing crimes. We are calling on the Government to amend and develop housing legislation and to expand the definition of homelessness to include victims of domestic violence so that they can be catered for quickly," Ms O'Halloran said.

She pointed out that emergency accommodation for victims of domestic violence is now at crisis point. In fact, the number of women being accommodated in refuges since 2009 has jumped by 29%.

SAFE Ireland is carrying out a photocall in Dublin on Tuesday, June 10, to mark the launch of the census figures. The aim is to photograph 467 women to represent those using the services on November 5. If you would like to take part, go to Meeting House Square in Temple Bar in Dublin City at 1.15pm.