Homeless hostel closure put on hold

SINN Fein has welcomed a decision to keep the Brú Aimsir homeless hostel on Thomas Street open.

Speaking from Dublin City Hall, Cllr Daithí Doolan, chair of the Dublin City Council housing committee, said they welcomed Dublin City Council’s vote to put the proposed closure of the hostel on hold.

“The Brú Aimsir is a 100-bed homeless hostel providing an essential service to Dublin’s homeless population,” he said.

“It is vital that it remains open until we are in a position to provide a more decentralised service across local authorities in the Dublin region.”

The commitment to keep the homeless hostel open was made following a meeting between the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Críona Ní Dhalaigh, Cllr Doolan, and Dublin City Council management.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Doolan added:  “I am happy to announce that the remaining 42 people in the Brú can remain there until new accommodation is provided. The planned closure has been put on hold.

“This will come as a relief to those people who have stayed in the Brú and made use of the excellent services being provided by Dublin City Council and Crosscare.

“The reopening of the other 60 beds is being reviewed over the coming days.

“I will continue to campaign to keep the Brú Aimsir open until new, suitable accommodation is provided,” he added.

The facility was opened in October 2015 as part of the annual Cold Weather Initiative and was due to shut in spring 2016.

In a statement, the Lord Mayor said that in light of the concerns expressed by members of the city council, and given the serious deterioration in the homeless positon over recent months, the Chief Executive had agreed that the planned closure would be put on hold until satisfactory alternative accommodation was secured for the remaining 42 residents. 

“In the meantime, efforts are being made to source additional emergency homeless accommodation,” the Lord Mayor added.