A “first-of-its-kind” centre providing homeless-specific healthcare and addiction treatment is due to officially open in Dublin city this week, although it has not yet secured funding to run at full capacity, reports Breaking News.
Dublin Simon Community’s facility at Usher’s Island can accommodate 100 beds, but funding is currently in place for just 75, reports Breaking News.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin will formally open the centre on Monday, although it has been operational since October 2024.
The opening comes just 10 days after official figures revealed that 16,734 people – including 5,188 children – were accessing emergency accommodation at the end of December, reports Breaking News.
This marked the highest year-end total recorded and the third-highest monthly figure, following the figures for November and October.
Dublin Simon said the Usher’s Island facility addresses the “growing complexity of homelessness”, where addiction, health issues, social challenges and financial instability overlap, reports Breaking News.
It said the centre will deliver essential services including detoxification, step-up and step-down intermediate care, and stabilisation treatment.
The facility was developed with €38 million in capital funding from the Department of Housing through the Capital Assistance Scheme, along with more than €10 million per year in funding from the Department of Health, reports Breaking News.
The centre has been opening in phases, increasing from 51 operational beds to 75 at present, with the capacity to grow to 100.
Martin said: “This unique, purpose-built facility enables dedicated homeless-specific treatment for some of the most vulnerable people in our society”, reports Breaking News.
“It stands as a strong example of cross-departmental collaboration and of commitments made under national housing plans and drug strategies being translated into action”, reports Breaking News.
Catherine Kenny, chief executive of Dublin Simon Community, said the centre would be a “gamechanger” for people experiencing homelessness and for healthcare staff, reports Breaking News.
“Homelessness today is more complex than ever. For many people, it is shaped not just by the absence of housing, but by trauma, addiction and long-term health needs”, reports Breaking News.
“Addressing that reality requires more than emergency responses; it requires integrated, specialist solutions”, reports Breaking News.
Tánaiste Simon Harris described the opening of the centre as a “genuine milestone” and congratulated Dublin Simon on the launch of the facility, reports Breaking News.
Dublin Simon said the Usher’s Island site has evolved significantly since it first opened as an emergency accommodation service in 1989.
When fully operational, the facility is expected to support between 1,200 and 1,400 adults each year, reports Breaking News.
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