President Michael D Higgins is inviting staff who support people experiencing homelessness to Áras an Uachtaráin.

It is part of his itinerary for St Patrick's Day on Sunday.

President Higgins and his wife Sabina will undertake a full day of public engagements.

They will attend a special St Patrick's Day liturgy, celebrated by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, in Dublin's Pro-Cathedral on Sunday morning.

The president and Sabina will attend then the St Patrick's Day Parade on O'Connell Street.

After this, President Higgins will go to Croke Park to view the All-Ireland club hurling final.

On his return to Áras an Uachtarain, he will host the first St Patrick's Day reception of his second term as president.

In a statement, Áras an Uachtaráin said: "The president will host a special reception in recognition of the efforts of frontline staff of the many voluntary and statutory organisations that work to support people experiencing homelessness."

"In his first term in office President Higgins has been keen to address some key social issues facing Irish society and the global community, calling for a renewed sense of social solidarity, and for example, radical solutions to the homelessness crisis. He is anxious to continue this emphasis in his second term."

President Higgins has already sent a St Patrick's Day message to Irish people at home and abroad through Ireland's network of embassies and missions abroad.