There has been a record rise of 29% in the number of people seeking help from Dublin homeless charity Merchants Quay Ireland.

The charity, which provides support for those who are homeless or suffering from drug addiction, said 6,900 people have gone through its open access day service in Riverbank in Dublin.

The charity has also seen an 11% rise in people over the age of 60 - some of whom are experiencing homelessness for the first time.

One client, Darragh, said the charity had made a huge difference to him when he found himself without a roof over his head. 

“MQI saved me,” he said. 

“I needed to talk, and they listened. They gave me good advice and put me on the right track. 

“The service made a big difference to me. It was somewhere to sit down, somewhere to have a cup of tea and a chat. I would have been lost without it.” 

Homeless people in Dublin. Picture by: Conor Healy / Picture It Photography

Merchants Quay Ireland CEO Eddie Mullins said more Government funding is needed to help homeless people ahead of Christmas. 

“We’re going into a General Election now and it’s important to highlight that it’s really unacceptable in the 21st century that people would find themselves homeless,” he said. 

“Obviously, more investment and greater emphasis on services [are needed] to help people who are homeless.” 

The charity is appealing to the public for donations to help them with the increased demand for their services.

Main image: Homeless people. Picture by: Conor Healy / Picture It Photography