Simon project: A proposal to develop a "wet centre" where residents could consume alcohol on the premises of a shelter for homeless people in Cork city has been approved.
City councillors voted 24 to six in favour of the Cork Simon Community project, and it is now envisaged that construction of the purpose-built centre will start in 2006 in Leitrim Street.
The idea to build a 14-bed shelter for homeless people, which will permit residents to consume alcohol on the premises, was first proposed as part of Cork Simon Community's Gateway Project. This project arose out of a review of the Cork Homeless Action Plan, which identified a number of gaps in services for homeless people, in particular, in relation to a "small but vulnerable group of people".
The review highlighted how this group is unable to access emergency accommodation, primarily because of a shortage of emergency beds in the city - a problem borne out by the fact that 12 homeless people have died in Cork over the past year.
However, in relation to the proposed location of the wet centre, a number of objections have been raised by local residents, as well as schools and businesses in the area, who argue that it may pose a safety risk.
Paul Sheehan, a spokesman for Cork Simon Community, said that fears of an increase in antisocial behaviour were unwarranted, although he acknowledged that the co-operation of the local community was important and that Cork Simon would be addressing their concerns over the coming months.
"There seems to be this misconception that there is going to be 24-hour drinking allowed on the premises: alcohol will be permitted in the centre but only on a strictly controlled basis. Also, a key focus of the project will be to reduce the harmful effects of alcohol and residents will have access to an alcohol detox programme, as well as other important services."
Mr Sheehan added that because there would be a very high staff ratio on this project, it would be possible for them to work on a one-to-one basis with residents and to ensure that they have proper access to services.
He also highlighted that the service will not be accessible off the street and that residents will first have to be referred by a member of an outreach team, who could assess whether the person would benefit from the service. Although this will be the first such centre in Cork, similar services exist elsewhere.
In Dublin, for example, the Harcourt Street centre for homeless people - also run by the Simon Community - has a wet room facility where residents are allowed to drink alcohol. In operation since July 2002, organisers of the centre say that they have received very few, if any, complaints from local residents and businesses, even though it is in walking distance of five major schools, a significant number of businesses and residential houses.
"The Harcourt Street centre has been extremely successful to date, not just in relation to the local community but also for users of the centre itself," said Noeleen Hartigan, social policy co-ordinator for the Simon Communities of Ireland.
"The streets of any city are dangerous if someone is homeless; if someone is barred from a project because they are drinking, then they are being put in increased danger by being forced to sleep rough," she said.