Minister Murphy said “I would like to thank all Local Authorities, Dublin City Council, the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE), and all the voluntary organisations, who worked tirelessly over the last number of days, and especially throughout today, to ensure that all homeless persons had the option of shelter during Storm Ophelia. I would also like to thank those citizens who helped direct our services to those people sleeping rough, to help us get them in to safe, secure shelter.”
The following is the up to date position this evening:
· Local authorities have confirmed to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government that shelter and accommodation is available across the country for any homeless individual or person, who wishes to avail of it tonight.
· Last night in the Dublin region, there was spare bed capacity in the city and an additional 200 further emergency bed spaces were provided in the Dublin area today, with many of these beds being utilised tonight.
· This evening, there still remains an additional 100 beds available in facilities around the city, and if more beds are required, they will be provided.
· Of the regular 120 rough sleepers in the Dublin City area, Dublin City Council, the DRHE and their partner organisations has had direct contact with 102 of these individuals and continues to reach out to those who need support and shelter. 77 individuals have accepted the offer of shelter, while 25 individuals refused the offer of accommodation.
· Housing First Teams will continue to work throughout the night with homeless individuals, and all rough sleepers will continue to be encouraged to avail of the beds and shelter on offer.
· Outside of Dublin, homeless individuals and rough sleepers will also continue to be encouraged to avail of the beds and shelter that is on offer.