COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE/FIRHOUSE/BOHERNABREENA AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

QUESTION NO. 1

QUESTION: Councillor Alan Edge

Can the Chief Executive please report on the number of rough sleepers in the area covered by this LAC with whom they’ve had contact during the crisis and outline the actions taken in this regard. 

REPLY:

South Dublin County Council together with the  Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE), Approved Housing Bodies and the HSE and various other agencies and partners, are working to ensure our supports and actions continue to deliver critical services to our homeless clients as well as minimising the risk of infection amongst individuals and families currently in homeless accommodation. A rough sleeper count is carried out twice a year. The first scheduled count for 2020 was cancelled due to the Covid 19 emergency.  All reports of rough sleepers and those sleeping in cars that have been brought to our attention throughout the county have been referred to the intake teams and all known rough sleepers have been offered accommodation.   Dublin Simon Outreach and PMcVT Intake teams continue to work across the County on behalf of the four Dublin Local Authorities to provide support, advice and accommodation to rough sleepers. 

All one-night only accommodation provided to single people is available on a 24-hour basis with meals being provided on site during the Covid 19 emergency.  Residents are no longer required to vacate these facilities during the day, reducing contacts and associated risks. 

While our homeless office remains closed, individuals/families are encouraged to make contact with us by phone at 01-4149364 or by email to sdcchomeless@sdublincoco.ie in line with advice from the HSE.  The Freephone (1800 707 707) is available out of hours for those in need of emergency accommodation.