Additional beds for the homeless is number one priority
The issue of homelessness was raised at last week's Plenary Council meeting.
Cllr John Hearne said that additional beds need to be urgently procured.
“One of the biggest issues we have is we don’t have enough capacity for people in our homeless shelters" he said.
"We have a housing crisis and people are sleeping on the streets and being turned away.
He added: "I think the worst thing about Dublin is that it really looks like a terrible place because of people sleeping on the streets and in doorways. It causes problems for shopkeepers and everybody on the street. It also doesn’t serve our city well, and the last thing we want is to be reported on in newspapers or on tv stations because someone died for no reason on our streets."
Cllr Hearne commended the council's housing department for their attempts to resolve the issue.
"The housing department didn’t create this problem. Its not our fault and I'd like to commend the housing staff of the council. They do their best. But we really need to get people off our streets. Nobody should on the streets in this day and age, and I'm asking that we prioritise an extra shelter."
Waterford Council's Director of Housing, Seamus De Faoite, responded to Cllr Hearne's concerns, saying that obtaining additional beds is "number one priority."
"There has been a slight decrease in our homeless numbers month on month, but unfortunately we are struggling in relation to getting extra places for homeless people.
"As we go into the winter months that position wont change too quickly. We are under pressure," he said. "But just to reassure members, I am treating this as number one priority to see what additional bed spaces we can obtain. What we are trying to do is ensure that people who are homeless have a place to go to. We’re looking at all opportunities."
