New 100-bed treatment centre for the homeless

HOUSING Minister Eoghan Murphy has announced the development of a 100-bed Medical Treatment & Recovery Facility at Ushers Island for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The announcement was made at the Simon Community’s Annual Review that highlighted how the charity supported over 1,560 households (3,404 people) in 2018.

The go-ahead for the new centre was welcomed by Dublin Simon Community CEO, Sam McGuinness.

“Today’s announcement by Minister Eoghan Murphy is very welcome,” he said.

“We must acknowledge the enormous effort and funding support from Minister Murphy, the Department of Housing officials and Department of Health, plus the extraordinary support of Dublin City Council Deputy Chief Executive, Brendan Kenny, and senior executives of the HSE.

“Without their continued vision and commitment this resource for people who are homeless could never happen. This new purpose-built facility at Ushers Island is not about just changing lives, it is saving the lives of those who are among the most vulnerable people in our society.”

Mr McGuinness added: “Our clients experience multiple social barriers when trying to access healthcare.

“As a consequence, clients who are homeless tend not to access healthcare or addiction treatment in the first place, or when they do, lack sufficient supports after their treatment to recover. This leads to higher mortality and morbidity rates.

“Dublin Simon Community is responding to the overwhelming demand for healthcare, addiction treatment and recovery services for clients who are homeless and this expansion will make a marked difference to outcomes.”

Minister Murphy added: 

“The construction of a new facility will allow increased supports to homeless individuals who require addiction supports.

“It will see the expansion of the bed capacity from 36 to 100, allowing many more people who are experiencing homelessness to receive the supports that they need.

“This increased number of beds, together with the establishment of Rapid Access Stabilisation and a Step Up/Step Down facility will allow Dublin Simon Community to extend its services to a larger number of clients.”