Number of people sleeping on Dublin’s streets rises by 54 per cent

Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan says the large number of people sleeping rough in Dublin is a damning indictment of the Government’s failed housing policy.

Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said:

“New data from the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive shows that 128 people were sleeping rough over the week of April 8-14, representing a 54 per cent increase on the same period last year.

“This comes at a time when the number of people in homeless emergency accommodation has reached over 14,000 for the first time in the history of the State.

“Ireland is not an impoverished country.

“There is no reason why we should have skyrocketing numbers of people living in tents, in doorways and on the streets.

“We need to invest in Housing First tenancies; provide people with the mental health supports they need; improve the quality of emergency accommodation; and, most importantly, build enough social homes.

“The Government must wake up and treat this crisis with the urgency it deserves.”