COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, December 15, 2025

QUESTION NO. 1

QUESTION: Councillor K. Keane

"To ask the Committee for an update on the number of extra beds SDCC have in place under the cold weather strategy plan 2025/2026?"

REPLY: 

The Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) is provided by Dublin City Council as the lead statutory authority on the response to homelessness in Dublin and adopts a shared service approach across the Dublin region on behalf of South Dublin County Council, Fingal County Council and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

In the event of cold weather or any emergency event in Dublin, the DRHE coordinates the response to homelessness on behalf of the four Dublin Local Authorities. The Cold Weather Strategy, focuses on expanding current capacity to meet increasing demand for emergency accommodation whilst also providing a targeted response for people who are long-term rough sleeping. Capacity for singles and couples beds has increased and these beds will be available on a phased basis throughout the winter months. As these beds come on stream, they will be made available as needed, depending on the demand for homeless services on any given night. For all households assessed by a local authority as requiring access to temporary accommodation, all residential services now operate on a 24 hours basis, with meals provided on site and/or cooking facilities. Total additional capacity is 250 permanent beds and 76 extreme weather beds. The permanent beds are operated on a 24-hour basis with meals provided onsite.

During the cold weather period, services are enhanced to support people who are sleeping rough to mitigate against the health risks that cold weather poses. The cold weather provides opportunities for more assertive engagement with long-term, entrenched rough sleepers and hard to reach groups, aimed at placing them in appropriate and long-term accommodation. Details of these enhanced services and further information on the Cold Weather Strategy can be found on the DRHE website: Cold Weather Strategy 2025/2026 - Homeless Dublin