The Government target to open up 260 emergency beds for homeless people before Christmas will be met tomorrow.
It was one of the commitments under the 20 point action plan - announced the week after a homeless man - Jonathan Corrie - died just outside Leinster House.
The Peter McVerry Trust is opening up 50 of its own beds in Dublin and Kildare as part of the 260 bed target.
Speaking after a meeting with the Dublin City Homeless Executive this morning, CEO Pat Doyle said there were spare beds in the capital last night:
Minister Alan Kelly says he is determined to address the homeless crisis as a matter of urgency:
“The strategy is approximately worth €25m but that’s irrelevant to be honest, doesn’t matter to me if it cost more. It’s not about money, it never was. It was about ensuring we did everything we could to help people who were homeless or potentially in vulnerable situations who could become homeless.”
Some of the main points in the plan are:
- 260 additional emergency beds will be provided for people sleeping rough.
- A night cafe will be opened as a contact point for homeless people who don't want to stay in the emergency accommodation being provided.
- - Transport with support services for those sleeping rough. Provided with immediate effect, this will transport homeless people to temporary accommodation and provide them with necessary health and care supports in conjunction with other state providers. If a homeless person does not want to take accommodation the ‘Housing First’ street team will direct them to the Nite Cafe, if they wish to use that service.
- The purchase of a NAMA controlled hotel to provide accommodation and the opening of an assessment centre for homeless families.
