Courtney McGrailThe number of homeless people sleeping rough in Dublin has risen by more than 50% since last year, according to Fr Peter McVerry.
A count by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive last week found that 140 individuals were sleeping on the streets and in doorways, compared to 91 counted at the same time last year.
Although the new figures are lower than the 168 found sleeping rough in the capital’s winter 2014 count, Fr Peter McVerry says the current numbers don’t accurately reflect the reality of Dublin’s homeless crisis.
Arguing that the count identifies only about half those sleeping rough each night, the Jesuit campaigner said it excludes the roughly 70 people who sleep each night on mats in Merchant’s Quay café, as well as those sleeping in parks or derelict buildings. Despite these shortcomings he called for the rough-sleeper count to be conducted on a monthly basis, “to stay on top of what’s happening”.
A spokesman for the Peter McVerry trust welcomed how three emergency hostels providing 220 beds for homeless adults will open in Dublin on Friday, December 9, but said it would be better if smaller hostels opened more regularly to tackle the city’s steady rise in homelessness.