Pope's visit will not disrupt homeless services, charity told
Homeless people trying to access emergency accommodation and other services during the Pope’s visit have been told they will be not be left out in the cold.
The Peter McVerry Trust said gardaí and event organisers had given assurances that outreach vehicles and staff on foot would have access to all parts of Dublin City despite the many road closures and other restrictions that will apply.
Pat Doyle, the charity’s chief executive, said they were taking a similar approach to the plans devised for major incidents such as Storm Emma and Storm Ophelia.
“Our first objective has been to work with our frontline staff to make sure that they are available. We have also been working with our staff to ensure that we have pre-empted any impact on the 750 people and 74 families who are accessing our emergency homeless services across Dublin on a nightly basis.
“This would include people that may be attending rental viewings, clinics, training, or presenting to employment, and we are supporting people with their plans for the days when traffic restrictions are in place.”
Mr Doyle said the street intake team, which handles the immediate needs of people sleeping rough in Dublin, would operate as normal.
“We have been advised by the civil authorities and gardaí that we will have access to all areas necessary. Whether access is in our outreach vehicles or pounding the pavement on foot, we will ensure that we reach and support people sleeping rough regardless of restrictions for the general public attending the events.”
Transport will also be made available for people trying to reach emergency hotel accommodation on the outskirts of the city as much of the public transport system will be tied up with moving the 500,000 pilgrims due to descend on the city.
The charity’s response has been co-ordinated with the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive, which said it had ensured existing hotel and B&B bookings for emergency accommodation would be honoured.
There have been fears that homeless people will be displaced to make way for pilgrims staying over in the city.
The executive said it had also secured additional temporary units and rooms for emergencies, but while some of those were located outside of Dublin, they would only be used when absolutely necessary.
