COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN, NEWCASTLE, RATHCOOLE, SAGGART AND BRITTAS AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

MOTION NO.9

MOTION: Councillor F. Timmons

That this Area Committee reaffirms the need for Crisis single bed accomodation in the Clondalkin area and urges SDCC to raise this with the Minister to seek funding as a matter of urgency (this area committee and council has already agreed 62920 , 61757 , 55409 , 53673 , 48620 , 46839 , 46455 , 44702 , 44121 , 42445) - we ask that a headed item is brought to this area committee as a matter of urgency and that this motion is also sent to the Minister for Housing.

REPORT:

There are currently approximately 350 Dublin Region Homeless Executive-supported bed spaces available to homeless households (individuals or families) in South Dublin.  Additional accommodation across Dublin provided by the DRHE is also available for use on a regional basis, including by homeless households from South Dublin.  

All efforts are made to ensure that homeless households are provided with appropriate accommodation based on assessment of their needs together with advice from homeless service providers and other support agencies.

Our Homeless Unit continues to assist households becoming homeless or at risk of homelessness. Working in conjunction with the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, we operate an advice clinic in County Hall and provide outreach services across the County, as well as detailing emergency accommodation options including central placement, self-accommodate, family hubs and other supported accommodation.  Staff in the homeless unit will organise emergency accommodation for those assessed as homeless through the Assessment and Placement Service and the DRHE is providing extra beds for the Dublin Region for the “cold weather“ season with sufficient emergency accommodation available to meet the arising need for single persons.  However, in conjunction with the DRHE, the Council continues to explore options for additional emergency accommodation within the South Dublin administrative area, particularly in the area north of the Naas Road, to supplement the existing regional emergency accommodation provision.

Our homeless outreach service operates all year round for rough sleepers across the County, working with other agencies, including the HSE, in identifying rough sleepers and connecting them with appropriate accommodation and support services, playing a vital role in assisting homeless rough sleepers during the winter months, and the Council is also committed to the provision of Housing First tenancies for long-term homeless single people where appropriate.

The Dublin Region Homeless Executive have provided extra single beds for the Dublin Region for the “cold weather“ season.

The Council operates an outreach service and multi-agency approach to respond to and support rough sleepers across the County.  Our Homeless Outreach Worker works closely with the HSE and other relevant agencies in identifying rough sleepers and sourcing appropriate accommodation and support services. 

We are still committed to the provision of homeless services facilities for both singles and families in areas North of the Naas Road.   Any suitable properties have to go through a tender process managed by the DHRE and there have been a number of these tenders completed in the last couple of years. Unfortunately no suitable facility for single homeless clients has been submitted during these tenders, however the Council will continue to consider any suitable proposals that arise.