The people of Dublin are being urged to report the location of any homeless people they see around the city ahead of the arrival of a heavy bout of snow, frost and icy conditions today.
Met Éireann has issued a Status Orange snow-ice weather warning for seven counties, including Dublin, which is currently in place from tomorrow at 3pm until Wednesday.
Speaking on Morning Ireland, director of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE), Eileen Gleeson, urged the public to report any homeless people they see on the streets using an online facility.
She said: “We know how difficult it is for people who are homeless on the streets and we are working in the DRHE with the four local authorities to ensure anyone seeking shelter is accommodated.”
We are extremely grateful to the public for using the sleeping rough link, please keep the reports coming in during this cold spell. #housingfirst Teams are out in Dublin tonight using the reports & linking in with people sleeping rough to access shelter @PMVTrust @FocusIreland pic.twitter.com/cK2wf6mkbN
— Homeless Dublin (@HomelessDublin) February 25, 2018
Gleeson said that the response they currently have in place is similar to the response that was used during storm Ophelia in October last year.
She added that the DRHE have had a cold weather initiative in place since November 2017.
“It has been working well,” she said. “Last night we had 104 extra [cold weather] beds in the system.”
Gleeson said that the biggest challenge they are faced with is the fact that homeless people may not be aware of the weather that has been forecast, and it is therefore “vital” that anyone who sees a homeless person on the streets reports it using the online link.
She added that all their service providers have supplied additional beds in preparation for the storm.
READ MORE: Motorists Urged To Keep Sleeping Bags And Food In Cars As Ireland Braces For Onslaught Of Snow
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