The number of people sleeping rough in the capital during the winter period has risen compared to last year, according to the latest figures released by the Dublin Simon Community.
The data shows that 145 individuals were sleeping rough across the four Dublin local authorities during the week of the charity’s most recent count, representing an increase of 11 people, or eight per cent, compared with 2024. The count took place between Monday, October 20 and Friday, October 26, reports The Mirror.
The figures do not include clients of the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS), as responsibility for those individuals lies with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
The count was organised by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) and carried out by the Dublin Simon Community Outreach Team. Extra outreach staff were deployed to ensure thorough coverage of the city centre and wider Dublin areas, reports The Mirror.
Personnel from all four Dublin local authorities, along with An Garda Síochána, also provided additional information on people sleeping rough, particularly those in more isolated locations.
Of the 145 people encountered sleeping rough, 125 individuals (86 per cent) had either previously been assessed or were assessed during the count week by the relevant local authority, while the Outreach Team is actively working with the remaining 20 people, reports The Mirror.
Of the 125 people:
- The majority of the people confirmed as rough sleeping were male, Irish and aged between 26-45 years.
- 90 per cent were linked with one of the four Dublin local authorities.
- 54 per cent were using tents and 46 per cent were not.
- 28 individuals (19 per cent) were found rough sleeping in both the winter and spring counts. A number of these are being targeted for a Housing First response, which will provide them with permanent housing and visiting support to help them sustain their home.
- 24 unique couples comprising 48 individuals were found rough sleeping in the
- Winter 2025 count, highlighting the need for an increased number of couple’s beds.
- In the winter 2025 count, 23 individuals (18 per cent) accessed Emergency Accommodation at some stage during the count week. A further 25 individuals (20 per cent) had an emergency
- Accommodation booking during the count week which they did not access (i.e. were no-shows).
- 80 individuals (64 per cent) had a booking for Emergency Accommodation at some stage in the three months prior to the count.
Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dublin Simon Community, said, “The number of people sleeping rough during the winter months has increased eight per cent since last year. Since 2021, this number has risen by 54 per cent. Sleeping on the street is a hardship that no one should ever have to face. Even if just one person was left with no other option than to brave the elements on our streets, it would be appalling. I can only imagine the unbearable conditions these human beings had to face during one of the coldest times of the year. The rough sleeping count, while an important exercise in understanding the scope of homelessness in Dublin, does not encompass the entirety of the work or high level of engagement professional staff conduct on the daily and nightly basis.” reports The Mirror.
“The Dublin Simon Outreach team engages with people who are sleeping rough 365 days a year. The team works around the clock to support those sleeping on the streets. It can take several intensive engagements by the Outreach team with people who are rough sleeping to support them into emergency accommodation. Those recorded rough sleeping this winter have previously accessed emergency accommodation. Rough sleeping will remain a serious problem due to the lack of access to housing to help support people to exit homelessness. Dublin Simon is calling for a commitment from the government to invest in preventative measures, to fast-track building social and affordable housing, and to recognise the need for tailored supports that directly meet the needs of those experiencing homelessness,” reports The Mirror.
“The impacts of the housing and homelessness crises are being felt right across the country, but no one is more exposed to these horrors than those bedded down on the street. We need to remember that each one of these 145 people is a human being that we are leaving out in the cold. Sleeping out on the street poses serious risks to people’s health and safety. The Dublin Simon Outreach Team will continue to engage with individuals by identifying their specific needs, referring them to wraparound services and advocating on their behalf with partners across the sector,” reports The Mirror.
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