Homeless services are 'patchy'

Healthcare services for homeless people are patchy and non-existent in some areas of Ireland, the Simon Communities of Ireland has said.

In its annual review published this morning, the organisation called for the provision of more comprehensive services throughout the country.

Many of the health complaints suffered by homeless people are outside the range of a normal GP and require a multi-disciplinary approach, the group said.

According to the Simon review, 55 people supported by the Simon Community died last year at an average age of 42. This compares to the average Irish life expectancy of 78. Twenty-five of these deaths were in Cork, 18 in Dublin, eight in Dundalk and four in Galway.

"What these figures tell us is that homelessness kills and, without timely and comprehensive responses, it will continue to result in untimely and unnecessary deaths," said Simon chief executive Patrick Burke.

The National Advisory Committee on Drugs, which advises the Government, found in 2005 that 90 per cent of homeless people had a physical health complaint, almost half reported a psychiatric health problem, and most had an alcohol or drug problem.

"People who are homeless experience complex health problems ranging from a physical complaint to addiction or mental illness. However, treatment is difficult to access because many don't have a medical card, and they simply cannot afford to pay for a GP consultation," said Mr Burke.

The organisation also said it was still unclear as to what provisions had been made in the Budget to tackle homelessness.

"While the problem of homelessness was mentioned by the Minister for Finance in his budget speech, we are still largely in the dark as to provisions in health and housing budgets specifically aimed at people who are homeless," said Mr Burke.

"The announcement to acquire or deliver 9,000 social houses next year is a welcome measure but, in our experience, those who are homeless tend to be last in the pecking order when it comes to the allocation of these homes.

"Besides, the promise of these social houses will only come good if local authorities move on their delivery," he added.

Mr Burke said authorities should take advantage of the slowdown in the construction industry to speed up its building programme.

Speaking at the

publication of the report, the Minister for Housing, Urban Renewal and Developing Areas Batt O'Keeffe said that work was already underway to prepare a revised and updated strategy on homelessness that would take into account the recommendations of last year's independent review.

Labour Party Spokesperson on Housing and Local Government Ciaran Lynch, said the figures did not give the full picture of the homeless situation in Ireland, as many people did not have access to Simon services. He called on the Minister to carry out a survey to determine the extent of the problem.

Mr O'Keeffe reiterated the Government's commitment to tackling homelessness and said 52 million euro had been provided this year for accommodation and related services to help those living rough. This brings to 332 million euro the amount provided by his department nationwide since the introduction of the Government's Integrated Homeless Strategy in 2000.

"Work is under way in my department on the preparation of a revised and updated Strategy on Homelessness, having regard to the recommendations of the Independent Review published last year," he said. The Homeless Agency last week revealed more than half of all hostels in Dublin used to accommodate those sleeping rough were unsuitable.

The damning report revealed a quarter of the 16 emergency facilities do not meet current fire safety standards and are a risk to both residents and staff. Mr O'Keeffe said significant progress had been made in relation to all of the hostels poorly evaluated.

He acknowledged the co-operation between the Simon Communities of Ireland and the government as an example of how statutory and voluntary bodies can work together to achieve a common aim.

"The vision of the Simon Communities echoes the Government's commitment in Towards 2016 which undertakes to eliminate long-term occupation of emergency homeless accommodation," he said.