Latest news with #CatherineKenny
RTÉ News
20-05-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
History of substance abuse in almost 9 in 10 deaths of homeless people
The CEO of the Dublin Simon Community has said society is failing vulnerable homeless people and a cross departmental government strategy must be developed to tackle homelessness. Catherine Kenny said the issue is currently siloed across various departments without joined up thinking. Figures from the Health Research Body have revealed that almost nine in ten people who died while homeless had a history of substance abuse (the data examined the deaths of 128 people in 2021). Ms Kenny said it is easy to depersonalise issues through figures but these were people at their "most vulnerable, experiencing trauma" whose final days were marked by pain, isolations and systems that failed to catch them. Homelessness is complex, she explained, and dividing the issue across different department makes it seem like it can be resolved through a housing or health response. "They're lonely, they're frightened, they're traumatised. We need the housing. We need the social security. We need the health - both physical and mental health services - working collaboratively and across the board to address the issue. "However if you have someone only focusing on housing it gets lost in the crisis that we're in in terms of homelessness," said Ms Kenny on RTÉ's Morning Ireland. Substance abuse prevalent within 2021 death rates The research carried out by the Health Research Body shows that most of the deceased (85.9%) had a history of substance use. Of those with a history of substance use, 53.6% were known to have alcohol dependence. Heroin, cocaine and benzodiazepines were the most common drugs used, with heroin accounting for 62.8%, followed by cocaine at 55.1% and benzodiazepines at 29.5%. Some 82.4% of the 51 people who used drugs only, not including alcohol, had a history of taking various types of drugs. One in five (21.1%) of the deceased had ever injected drugs, with 37% of these injecting at the time of death. Dublin was the county that saw the most deaths, with 58.6% of deaths recorded there. Poisoning and non-poisoning related deaths Opioids, benzodiazepines, alcohol and cocaine were the four main drug groups relating to poisoning deaths in 2021. Opioids were linked to the highest number of deaths at 82%, followed by benzodiazepines at 68.9%. Alcohol and cocaine contributed to similar numbers of deaths, at 37.7% and 36.1% respectively. Methadone was involved in regarding the deaths of 84.6% of women, which was significantly higher than 43.8% of men. Those figures combined accounted for 52.5% of deaths, making methadone the most common drug implicated in poisoning deaths. There were 67 non-poisoning deaths with 55 (82.1%) among males and 12 (17.9%) were among females. Medical causes of death, mainly cardiovascular, were recorded for 70.1% of non-poisoning deaths.
The Journal
25-04-2025
- General
- The Journal
'Appalling': Record 15,418 people in emergency accommodation, including 4,675 children
THE NUMBER OF people in emergency accommodation increased last month to a record 15,418 people, including 4,675 children. It represents an increase of 40 people, including 22 more children, compared to the previous month . According to the latest figures from the Department of Housing, it's the first time that the number of people living in emergency accommodation in Dublin surpassed 11,000. This includes 7,537 adults and 3,487 children. This doesn't account for those rough sleeping, refugees, asylum seekers, individuals in domestic violence shelters, or those experiencing 'hidden homelessness', such as sleeping in cars, on couches, or other unsuitable living conditions. Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dublin Simon Community, said that the figure is 'capped by space, not demand'. 'Emergency accommodation is limited. Beds are full or near capacity. People can only access it when someone else leaves or a new space opens up. 'In other words, many more are left to rough sleep or live in unsafe and unsuitable conditions in hidden homelessness. Advertisement 'We have a crisis that should shock the conscience of the country and especially of those who run it. When the number of people living in emergency shelters matches the population of a whole town, something is deeply broken. We must not allow ourselves to normalise this level of human suffering. Minister for Housing James Browne has yet to comment on the latest figures, published just after 2pm this afternoon. The latest data shows an 8% year-on-year increase in the number of people in emergency accommodation in Dublin. The charity Depaul said the government needs to 'show evidence that they have a strong response to the homelessness crisis'. A spokesperson said that it is concerned that high levels of homelessness is becoming the 'new, accepted normal' but that the mental health impacts on those experiencing homelessness shouldn't be underestimated. The Salvation Army has described the child homelessness situation as 'appalling'. 'With school summer holidays approaching, it is appalling that for more than 3,000 children, what should be the most carefree time of their year, is spent in emergency accommodation.' Sinn Féin spokesperson for housing Eoin Ó Broin called on the government to reverse funding cuts for housing schemes that help prevent homelessness. He argues that, as many local authorities have less funds available to buy properties, more renters will be evicted when landlords sell, and schemes like HAP will have less availability, resulting in more people staying in emergency accommodation for longer periods of time. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
