Big increase in demand for homeless services

A LEADING Southside based charity that works with homeless people and drug users has recorded an increase in the number of people seeking help for basic food supplies and medical care.

According to Merchants Quay Ireland’s (MQI) Annual Review for 2011, over 73,000 meals were provided last year, up from 64,000 the previous year.

The report, entitled

‘Struggling to Cope’, also recorded a growth in the number of people turning up for the charity’s evening service, with an estimated 115 people attending every day last year.

The charity, which also provides a free GP service, saw a 21 per cent increase in the number of people seeking assistance at MQI’s Primary Health Care Service.

The charity also cited a continuing demand for drug services nationwide. In Dublin alone, over 4,000 people accessed MQI’s needle exchange service last year.

Of all those who availed of the service, 492 were new clients.

The report noted that drug usage also continued to grow outside of Dublin, as all of MQI’s regional services recorded a surge in the numbers of people accessing the services.

In addition, the charity’s two rehabilitation facilities saw increases in the number of clients seeking admission.

The facilities at High Park and St Francis Farm had waiting lists due to the high volume of people seeking help.

It has also been outlined how 61 per cent of people who were admitted to the High Park Programme were previously homeless.

Tony Geoghegan, CEO of MQI, said it was evident that the economic downturn has contributed significantly to the number of people availing of the charity’s services.

“The devastating effects of the economic downturn can clearly be seen in the numbers turning to MQI’s homeless and drug services nationwide,

? he said.

“These figures are evidence of the on-going impact of the economic recession.

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Mr Geoghegan said MQI’s response to the crisis has been to maintain and develop services nationally, in spite of reduced statutory funding. He explained that a new centre would be opening in Merchant’s Quay this year.

The centre will bring all of MQI’s frontline homeless and drug services under one roof and provide a greater number of hot meals and improved medical facilities for those in need.

MQI have also opened a 10-bed detox facility at St Francis Farm.

However, there are only 50 beds available nationwide for the estimated 10,000 methadone users in Ireland, according to the charity.

Mr Geoghegan said it is vital that long-term solutions are invested into tackling drug abuse and homelessness.

“In times of economic crisis it is the weakest and most vulnerable who suffer most,

? he explained.

“We as a society need to learn from past mistakes and address these interlinked crises and invest in long-term solutions for the benefit of the individual, their families and society as a whole. The growth in demand shows no sign of abating, while similarly our drugs services nationally are stretched to capacity as the drugs crisis grows across the country.

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