The Department of Housing has rejected claims that barriers erected around its offices at the Custom House in Dublin are ‘anti-homeless devices.’

The barriers were erected in the alcoves of the historic building this week.

That led to claims the barriers were in place to prevent people from sleeping rough in the area.

In a statement however, the Department said they were erected to facilitate the redevelopment of the Custom House Visitor Centre.

A spokesperson for the department said they will be removed as soon as the redevelopment is complete.

I suppose the Minister is going to tell me that these aren’t in place to stop people sleeping rough here at night ?

Would suit you better to ensure those who need access to a bed get it! #AntiHomelessDevices pic.twitter.com/lyobZNKV0c

— Cllr. Anthony Flynn (@AnthonyICHH) November 5, 2020

The Custom House Visitor Centre is being upgraded ahead of the centenary of the burning of the Custom House on May 25th, 1921.

It is hoped the centre will “provide public access to one of the finest buildings in Dublin in the context of the Decade of Centenaries.”