121 people were found to be rough sleeping, when the Dublin Region Homeless Executive carried out its most recent count.
That's down 5% on the same time last year when 128 individuals were found rough sleeping.
It was carried out between the 31st of March and the 6th of April, and found the majority are male, Irish, and aged between 26 and 45.
55% were using tents.
Findings
In a statement DRHE says: "The Official Spring Count of people sleeping rough in the Dublin Region was carried out over the week of March 31st to 6th April 2025.
"A total of 121 unique individuals were confirmed as rough sleeping across the four Dublin local authorities over the week of the count, a 5% decrease compared to the Spring 2024 count, when 128 individuals were found rough sleeping.
"The count was arranged by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) and carried out by the Dublin Simon Community Outreach Team. Additional Outreach workers were deployed to ensure intense coverage of city centre areas.
"Staff in all four Dublin local authorities and An Garda Síochána provided additional information about people who were rough sleeping, especially those in isolated areas.
"Of the 121 people found rough sleeping, 99 (82%) had previously been assessed or were assessed during the count week by the Local Authority. The main characteristics of the 99 individuals with PASS** IDs were as follows:
· The majority of the people confirmed as rough sleeping were male, Irish and aged between 26-45 years.
· 94% were linked with one of the four Dublin local authorities.
· 55% were using tents and 45% were not.
· 23 individuals (23%) were found rough sleeping in both the Winter 2024 and Spring 2025 counts.
· 14 unique couples comprising 28 individuals (of which 23 individuals (23%) had PASS IDs) were found rough sleeping in the Spring 2025 count, highlighting the need for an increased number of couples’ beds.
· In the Spring 2025 count, 26 individuals (26%) accessed Emergency Accommodation at some stage during the count week. A further 22 individuals (22%) had an Emergency Accommodation booking during the count week, which they did not access (i.e. were no-shows).
· 65 individuals (66%) had a booking for Emergency Accommodation at some stage in the three months prior to the count, of which 19 individuals (19%) did not present (i.e. were no-shows).
"Relentless Efforts"
Emma McMillen, Director of Homeless & Community Services at Dublin Simon Community, says: "While we welcome the 5% decrease in the number of individuals recorded sleeping rough, we must recognise that this does not reflect a reduction in homelessness overall.
"These figures certainly reflect the relentless efforts of outreach teams and the scaling up of emergency beds in recent years.
"But these are short-term measures. Without access to secure, affordable housing and effective health and therapeutic support, people remain trapped in a cycle of homelessness.
"The rough sleeper count, while an important exercise in understanding the scope of homelessness on the streets of Dublin, does not encompass the entirety of the issue.
"The Dublin Simon Outreach team engages with people who are sleeping rough 365 days a year. The team works around the clock to support those sleeping on the streets.
"Over the past four years, Dublin Simon Community has expanded its emergency accommodation capacity by 35% in response to the growing demand and ongoing shortage of affordable housing.
"While the growth has been necessary to meet the immediate need, it is not a sustainable solution.
"Long-term reliance on emergency accommodation highlights the urgent need for a coordinated governmental response, investment in preventative measures, fast-tracked building of social and affordable housing, and recognising the need for tailored health supports that directly meet the needs of those experiencing homelessness.
"The reality is that emergency accommodation is operating at capacity, and more people are becoming stuck in the system with no exit route due to the housing crisis.
"Dublin Simon Outreach team will continue to work tirelessly to engage with individuals by identifying their specific needs, referring them to wraparound services and advocating on their behalf with partners across the sector.
"Sleeping out on the street comes with serious health and safety risks, and every person doing so represents an urgent humanitarian concern. No one should be left without a shelter in a crisis like this.”
"If you see someone bedded down who may need support, our Outreach team is out on the streets of Dublin city and county 365 days of the year from 7 am – 1 am Monday – Friday and 9 am – 1 am Saturday – Sunday, and can be contacted via the Dublin Rough Sleeper app."
