EVERY WEEK, TheJournal.ie offers a selection of statistics and numerical nuggets to help you digest the week that has just passed.

64 billion - The number of messages that WhatsApp messaging app handled in one day this week, setting a new record.

79,660 - The number of homes needed in Ireland to meet the needs of the growing population, according to a government advisory body.

30,000 - The approximate number of Eircom customers who will be asked to pay large bills in one go after the company failed to process their direct debits.

8,000 - The number of Irish people treated every year for alcohol abuse.

133 - The number of phone conversations between gardaí, witnesses and journalists that were recorded at a Cork garda station investigating the Sophie Toscan du Plantier murder.

98 - The number of people sleeping rough on Dublin’s streets on an average night – an increase of 25 per cent.

44 - The number of vote by which a motion of confidence in Minister for Justice Alan Shatter passed in the Dáil on Wednesday night.

26 - The percentage of professional footballers who suffer from some form of depression or anxiety, according to new research.

25 - The percentage of support that both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael currently enjoy, according to a recent opinion poll.

23 - The amount in euros that an Italian factory worker paid for two paintings in 1975. The paintings were this week revealed to be worth at least €10 million.   

22 - The number of years that David Letterman has presented his US talk show before announcing this week that he is to step down.

16 - The number of dead horses, cows and calves found dead at the base of Doonbeg cliffs in Clare during the week.

1 - The number of Irish restaurants which have been named in the world’s top 100 places to eat.

Want more? Check out our previous ‘In numbers’ pieces >