A 100-BED HOMELESS hostel in Dublin will remain open after being previously slated for closure.
Brú Aimsir on Dublin’s Thomas Street was opened in October 2015 as part of Dublin City Council’s annual Cold Weather Homeless Initiative, where extra beds are provided for people sleeping rough during the winter months.
The Council said previously that it was never intended to become a permanent facility. It was originally due to close in March, but remained open for two more months due to cold weather.
The “orderly wind-down” ahead of its closure at the end of May, during which the number of available beds was reduced by more than half, sparked protests due to the high numbers of rough sleepers in the capital who still required the hostel’s services.
In a statement, Lord Mayor Críona Ní Dhálaigh said an agreement has been reached between the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) and the board of the Digital Hub Development Agency, who owned the complex.
The statement continued:
In light of the continuing increase in the numbers sleeping rough in the Dublin region and following the intervention of an tArdmhéara [Lord Mayor] agreement has now been reached to extend the use of Brú Aimsir and to operate it at full capacity.
An tArdmhéara wishes to acknowledge the support of the Board of the Digital Hub Development Agency in securing this very satisfactory outcome.
The most recent rough sleeper count carried out by DRHE found 102 people on the streets, an increase of 11 compared to the previous winter count but below a high of 168 in winter 2014.
Figures released earlier this week put the number of families in homeless accommodation at 913, including 1,218 adults and 1,847 children, while nationwide there were 1,054 families including 2,177 children.
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