Drogheda Independent

Identify scale of rough sleepers

- By ALISON COMYN

NOT one person sleeps rough on the streets of Drogheda.

Or so you would think if you relied on the annual Louth County Council ‘Rough Sleep Count’.

But following a request by Cllr Joanna Byrne, council officials have pledged to liaise with the relevant stakeholde­rs in advance of this year’s count in an effort to guage the true scale of the problem.

In 2016 and 2017, the count returned a number of zero rough sleepers, something that Cllr Byrne was very shocked and vocal about on both occasions, even offering to escort council officials to people who were sleeping rough within walking distance of the Council offices.

Speaking at last week’s Municipal District of Drogheda meeting, the Sinn Féin councillor queried the local authoritie­s’ plans ahead of this year’s annual rough sleeper count, requesting they liaise with the relevant stakeholde­rs in advance.

“Drogheda Homeless Aid, Drogheda Cares for The Homeless and The Red Door, among others, are the NGO’s on the ground on a daily basis, these are the people the Local Authority need to take their lead from on this issue. It won’t serve any purpose for another inaccurate count of zero to be returned,” said Cllr Byrne.

“I want the Local Authority to liaise with the Public Representa­tives in each area in advance of all rough sleeper counts so that they can be aware of the hotspots known to the members and include them on their route.”

Newly appointed Director of Service’s for Housing, Paddy Donnelly, concurred with Councillor Byrne’s concerns and agreed he would ensure plans be put in place before the upcoming count to engage with all the relevant stakeholde­rs stating that “Louth County Council want to be in a position to offer those sleeping on the streets the particular help that they need at that time” and they “would work with all organisati­ons to ensure an accurate count is returned and that help is given.”

“An accurate count gives a true picture of the needs and help that is required enabling everyone concerned to provide adequate resources and help those who most need it.”

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