Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan TD has expressed very serious concern about the number of people sleeping rough who are being excluded from emergency accommodation.
Deputy O’Callaghan said:
“I’m very concerned about the spike in the numbers of homeless deaths. It’s about 35% higher than this time last year. Behind each number is a person and the pain that a death causes their family, friends and loved ones.
“In the Dáil last week, the Tánaiste gave the impression that no one who is sleeping rough has been denied access to emergency accommodation. This is simply not the case.
“According to organisations working with homeless people, between a third and half of those who are sleeping rough have been refused access to emergency accommodation.
“There are people who will sleep in doorways and tents tonight because they are being locked out of the system. This is utterly unacceptable at any time and even more so during a global pandemic.
“I’m calling on the Minister for Housing to urgently instruct local authorities to provide emergency accommodation to every homeless person who requests it.”
December 1, 2020