The HSE’s getting an extra two million Euro to give to charities help homeless people in Dublin with complex medical needs.
Minister Kathleen Lynch announced the additional funding to help rough sleepers who have mental health or addiction issues.
It’s targeted towards mental health and addiction services, which homeless people can access either in hostels, temporary accommodation or supported housing.
It will also help couples who are rough sleeping and have high support needs.
The 2 million Euro has been welcomed by homeless charities, Roughan McNamara from Focus Ireland says any additional investment will have a positive impact.
However, he said the issue of homelessness won’t be solved unless people can get off the street:
“If someone is kept sleeping rough on the streets they’re in a very dangerous environment. They’re in an environment where drugs thrive so it’s very hard to even engage with rehab services or get off the drugs in that situation. The bottom line is that we need homes, we need more investment and more urgency on this matter”.
