Costello welcomes funding for mental health & addiction needs of homeless

28 January 2016

by Cllr Joe Costello

Deputy Joe Costello has welcomed today’s announcement by the Minister for Mental Health, Social Care and Primary Care, Kathleen Lynch, of an extra €2 million to address the mental health and addiction needs of homeless people in Dublin.

Deputy Costello stated: “This additional funding will ensure that these often vulnerable people can access the range of health services and supports they require while living in supported temporary accommodation or long-term accommodation.

“The services that will be provided will include care and case management and intensive addiction and mental health programmes targeting homeless people in supported temporary accommodation, and homeless couples with high support needs in long-term accommodation.

“The latest national data available shows that there are 3,560 adults and 1,679 dependents using State-funded emergency accommodation. In the Dublin Region, 500 families, with 1,049 dependents, are accommodated in commercial hotels, while 205 families with 417 dependents are accommodated in private emergency accommodation.”