COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM / TEMPLEOGUE / FIRHOUSE / BOHERNABREENA AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, February 08, 2022

MOTION NO. 9

MOTION: Councillor P. Kearns

To ask the manager what services are available to the council to support rough sleepers in our public parks etc when all local supports have been exhausted.

REPORT:

The Council operates an outreach service and multi-agency approach to address rough sleepers across the County.  The Outreach worker works closely with the HSE in particular in identifying rough sleepers and sourcing appropriate accommodation and support services. The needs of rough sleepers are often very complex and challenging and require a comprehensive and coordinated approach.

SDCC provides hostel type accommodation in our own administrative area and through the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive Central Placement Services, and at present there is sufficient capacity in the system for any rough sleeper to be referred to emergency accommodation.

Our Homeless Unit have a strong relationship with the Parks/Public Realm Department and when clients are identified, our outreach will visit and engage, where possible, with clients.  The Outreach team within the DRHE is also notified.  Other services such as Safetynet may be contacted also if considered necessary.  Unfortunately some clients refuse to engage and avail of any services and, in these cases, contact is maintained where possible  and the outreach team continue to monitor the situation. 

The Council is also committed to the Housing First programme which aims to provide a person sleeping rough, or someone who has been long-term homeless, with their own secure accommodation as well as access to intensive and specialised support services