A new late-night welfare zone is being rolled out in Dublin city centre this week.
The Dublin Nights Help Zone is designed to provide support to individuals who may need assistance during a night out in the city.
The free service, launched by Dublin City Council, will operate on Camden Street every Friday and Saturday night from 10pm to 3am.
It will run for a six to eight week pilot period, kicking off on July 4th.
It will be staffed by a dedicated welfare team — including a medic, welfare officer, and two trained security personnel.
It's funded by the Department of Justice.
Ray O’Donoghue, Dublin’s Night-Time Economy Advisor, explains the nickname for the service: "While officially known as the Dublin Nights Help Zone, the service will also be affectionately referred to in public as ‘The Nee-Naw,’ chosen to make the service feel more approachable and easier to identify.
"It’s about making sure help is visible, stigma-free, and easy to access."
Funded by the Department of Justice, this initiative reinforces a commitment to community-based safety and harm reduction in Ireland’s night-time economy. The Dublin Nights Help Zone is part of the national Night-Time Economy Advisor Pilot Scheme, promoting innovative, people-centred approaches to creating safer, more inclusive cities after dark.
Cllr Racheal Batten, Chairperson of the Economic Development and Enterprise SPC, says: "This is about providing real, practical support in the heart of our city’s nightlife. The Dublin Nights Help Zone sends a strong message that we care about the safety, wellbeing, and dignity of everyone enjoying Dublin at night."
The Dublin Nights Help Zone launches 4 July!
A late-night mobile safe space — aka "The Nee-Naw" — offering welfare support on Camden Street every Fri & Sat, 10PM–3AM.
Feeling unwell, overwhelmed, or just need a breather? We’ve got you.
💜 Free. Safe. Judgement-free.… pic.twitter.com/QGBqZib17L
— Dublin City Council (@DubCityCouncil) June 30, 2025
Richard Shakespeare, Chief Executive of Dublin City Council, says: “The Dublin Nights Help Zone is a practical, people-focused initiative that supports our goal of making Dublin a safer, more welcoming city at night.
"By providing real-time welfare support in a key nightlife area, this pilot demonstrates how cities can actively support vibrant night-time activity while prioritising public safety and well-being."
Assistant Commissioner Paul Cleary, An Garda Síochána, Dublin Metropolitan Region, says: "An Garda Síochána is committed to making Dublin safer, and this includes our vibrant night-time scene.
"We welcome the Dublin Nights Help Zone initiative, which will provide a supportive space for people enjoying the city at night and offer essential welfare services to those in need."
