One third of capital's homeless accommodation in Dublin 1

Almost a third of all homeless accommodation in the capital is located in the Dublin 1 area, according to a postcode breakdown of emergency beds in the capital.

The figures, which have been released for the first time by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, show that 32% of homeless beds are located in the north inner city.

The 3,817 beds in this area are made up of 1,446 for families, 2,163 for single adults and 208 which are categorised as contingency beds or beds that are in the pipeline for delivery.

The postcode areas of Dublin 6, 7 and 8 account for the next highest number of beds, with 10% each, while Dublin 2 has 9% of homeless beds. Each of these areas has more than 1,000 emergency accommodation beds.

The lowest number of beds are in Dublin 13 which has just four emergency accommodation places, followed by Dublin 20 (23), Dublin 10 (36) and Dublin 17 (79).

In an information note to Dublin City Councillors, DRHE Director Mary Hayes said that while they had closed some services in 2021, as the number of homeless rose post-pandemic the DRHE developed a tender to openly procure emergency accommodation.

She said the process meant they were dependant on what was offered and that the properties most likely to be tendered were those with existing planning permission for hospitality use, which were usually older bed and breakfast premises or hotels located along the main artery from Dublin Airport to the city centre.

Ms Hayes said concerns were raised by councillors, the local area office and schools and health facilities about the concentration of services in Dublin 1, in particular along the Gardiner Street area.

In response, in late 2024 the council undertook not to open anymore service in Dublin 1 and to introduce "an over concentration criterion in the assembly of properties offered via open tender".

She said in recent years DRHE has prioritised development of services outside the city core, but in order to close services in Dublin 1 there would need to be less demand and higher exits from emergency accommodation and a sufficient amount of alternative accommodation available.

Ms Hayes said the scope to exit contracts in Dublin 1 is reviewed monthly at management meeting and will be discussed in more detail in the Lord Mayor's Taskforce on homelessness.