A HOSTEL FOR homeless people in the centre of Dublin is set to close resulting in the loss of 100 beds.
The Bru Aimsir hostel on Thomas Street, which was opened in November of last year as part of Dublin City Council’s cold weather initiative, will close at the start of May.
The body that heads up homeless services on behalf of the council, the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive, announced last winter that the hostel – close to Dame Street in the capital – would have showers, laundry facilities, and “a range of health supports”.
Confirmation of its closure has been met with a swift response from homeless charity the Peter McVerry Trust.
“A planned transition process is essential in order to manage the replacement of the 100 beds for the homeless sector,” Pat Doyle, CEO of the trust, said today.
He said the sudden withdrawal of beds would have a negative impact on service users.
The charity also called on stakeholders to come together and agree a transition plan for those currently staying in the hostel.
Second closure
Today’s developments follow the news that the St John’s Lane West hostel, close to Bru Aimsir at Christ Church Cathedral, will be redeveloped into longer-term accommodation – resulting in the loss of 42 beds.
The facility – which is owned by Focus Ireland and run with the help of the McVerry Trust – will be re-purposed as a number of flats to be used as accommodation for homeless people.
A spokesperson for Focus Ireland said that there had always been plans in place to convert the building.
The Peter McVerry Trust said it was in an advanced stage of its negotiations with the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive to ensure that beds are found for those staying in St John’s Lane West.
The hostel was originally set up as emergency accommodation in winter 2014 during environment minister Alan Kelly’s drive provide homeless beds prior to Christmas of that year, following the death of Jonathan Corry in a doorway close to Leinster House.
It had previously been used as a daycare centre and a nursery.
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