Focus Ireland calls for Dubliners to sleep out under the stars to help end child homelessness

There are now more children without a home in Ireland than stars visible to the naked eye in the night sky.

Focus Ireland made the stark revelation as it issued a final call for people across Dublin to sleep out under the stars or donate for Shine A Light, proudly supported by Sisk, this Friday, October 9.

The latest homelessness figures released by the Department of Housing on Friday show that 5,830 children are now experiencing homelessness across Ireland, living in emergency or temporary accommodation.

This compares with an estimated 2,500 stars that can typically be seen with the naked eye under good rural dark-sky conditions.

The figures mean that there are now more than twice as many children experiencing homelessness as stars visible to the naked eye.

In Dublin City and County 8,271 adults and 4,158 children are currently experiencing homelessness, living in emergency accommodation.

Focus Ireland says that behind the statistics are children experiencing the instability and uncertainty of living without a permanent home.

The charity works with families and children experiencing homelessness, providing housing, prevention, family support and other services designed to help people move towards long-term stability.

Last year, Focus Ireland helped over 18,000 people nationwide through housing, prevention, and family support services. In Dublin, 166 families at imminent risk of losing their home, or transitioning from emergency accommodation, were supported by the Focus Ireland Family Centre.

In North and South Dublin, residential aftercare and settlement support assisted 68 young people, including 25 individuals housed at Chéad Chéim and Greenhills.

Focus Ireland CEO Pat Dennigan says child homelessness is a crisis we can end, if we choose to and is calling on the public to take action to help end child homelessness by sleeping out for Shine A Light, proudly supported by Sisk, on Friday October 9.

“Business leaders are invited to join the charity’s organised sleep out in Dublin’s Iveagh Gardens, while companies are encouraged to sign up for the corporate sleepout at TU Dublin Grangegorman.

“Businesses, community groups and individuals are also encouraged to organise their own sleep-out, or donate to support Focus Ireland’s work with children and families experiencing homelessness.

“Focus Ireland Ambassador, scientist and space explorer, Dr. Niamh Shaw said she is proud to support the Shine A Light campaign. She recently helped launch the ‘Shine A Light Stargazer’, a specially adapted Dobsonian telescope designed to help people comprehend the scale of child homelessness.

“The innovative telescope allows viewers to explore the night sky regardless of the time of day or weather conditions, while highlighting the thousands of children behind the homelessness figures.”

Speaking at the Stargazer launch, Dr. Shaw said: “Astronomy has a unique way of helping us understand scale.

“When people hear that 5,830 children are experiencing homelessness, it can be difficult to truly grasp what that means.

“By comparing that figure to the number of stars visible to the naked eye, the scale of the challenge becomes much more tangible.

“Behind every statistic is a child, a family and a story.

“I’m proud to support Focus Ireland’s Shine A Light campaign and help highlight the urgent need to ensure every child has the safety, stability and opportunity that come with having a place to call home.”

Shane Butler, Community sleepout organiser at Bohemians FC, said: “I have organised a community sleepout for the last five years in Dalymount for Focus Ireland. Homelessness is a big problem in Ireland and the people who experience it are often ignored, so this event helps to raise funds and awareness for those in need.

“Organising it has been a pleasure and it’s great to get others involved to take part and raise funds and it’s a great way to meet new people.

“The night itself is an experience, it can be enjoyable and doesn’t have to be uncomfortable, people have the option of sleeping inside or outside and it gives us an insight to what people who are homeless experience most nights.

“From the point of view of a Bohs fans, not many of us get a chance to see dawn over Dalymount, which is nice to wake up to.

“Afterwards, we have tea and toast for breakfast. I know the ‘Shine A Light’ sleepout makes such a difference towards supporting those who are currently without a home and it’s great to be able to organise something that raises much needed funds every year.

“I can’t wait for this year’s sleep out which will be the last one we will have in Dalymount as it is.”

Shine A Light is proudly supported by Sisk. Maura Toles, Group Company Secretary & Chief Legal Officer at Sisk, said: “Every child deserves a safe and happy childhood, yet too many children are growing up without the security of a place to call home. At Sisk, we’re proud to

support Focus Ireland in their work with individuals and families experiencing homelessness. This October, we’re encouraging companies, community groups, schools, and individuals to join us and take part in Shine A Light. Together, we can help ensure more children have the support, stability, and opportunities they need to build brighter futures.”

Shine A Light will take place nationwide on Friday, October 9, bringing businesses, community groups, schools and individuals together to spend one night sleeping out in solidarity with people experiencing homelessness. People can also organise their own sleep-out with colleagues, friends, family or their community. For those who cannot sleep out, Focus Ireland is encouraging people to donate to Shine A Light and help fund services supporting people experiencing homelessness.

Focus Ireland Shine A Light events:

• Cork – Cork City Gaol: Business Leaders, Corporate & Community
• Dublin – TU Dublin Grangegorman: Corporate only
• Dublin – Iveagh Gardens: Business Leaders only

Community Host Your Own events:

• Limerick – Crescent Shopping Centre: Community Sleep Out organised by Limerick Shine A Light Volunteer Committee
• Corporate, School & Community: Host Your Own events To sleep out or donate, visit shinealight.focusireland.ie