Taoiseach opens homeless centre amid warning of rise in demand
As Taoiseach Enda Kenny today formally opened a new centre for homeless people today, its chief executive warned there has been a huge increase in demand in recent months.
The new €1.4m Riverbank Homeless Centre on Merchants Quay is now serving up more than 240 meals a day.
The centre, which supports homeless people and drug addicts, has called on the Government to protect the most vulnerable and frontline services in the upcoming Budget.
Chief executive Tony Geoghegan warned there has been a huge increase in demand in recent months.
“In October this year, we served 7,500 meals,” he said.
“That’s compared with the same period last year when we served 5,500 meals.
“We are counting the social cost of the recession everyday as numbers coming to our new centre soar.
“On Sundays alone, we are seeing over 250 people come through our door at lunchtime.
“For many, the meals we provide are the only decent thing they will eat that day and their only social contact.”
The charity provides crisis intervention, health promotion, rehabilitation and support and educational programmes, as well as showers and clean clothes.
It has recorded a 10% increase in its needle exchange programme in the last 12 months, with 2,000 drug addicts swapping their dirty needles for clean ones in October.
Mr Geoghegan revealed his deepest concern is for the forthcoming Budget, as the charity needs €6.5m a year to run.
“There will be further cuts to drugs and homeless services,” he said.
“We hope that the Taoiseach coming here today is some sort of indicator that he and his Cabinet colleagues will keep to their promises and commitments to protect frontline services and within that, to prioritise the needs of the most vulnerable.”
