Focus Ireland is continuing to deliver its essential frontline services for people who are homeless or at risk throughout Ireland during the extreme weather conditions.

Staff on the Focus Ireland Intake Team (Run jointly with PMVT) are working around the clock to get people in off the streets.  Brian Wildes from the street team said: “We worked with over 50 people and were out all through the night till 7AM.  Most came in off the streets after we spent time with them.  Sadly some would not come in so we supplied emergency response and sleeping kits.  We’ll be working through our different shifts to keep going 24 hours in the coming days to engage with people again to get them in safe.”  The team is funded by the State through the Dublin Region Homeless Executive.

Meanwhile, the Focus Ireland Coffee Shop in Temple Bar is open every day as usual as staff walked through the snow to get into work to be there for the over 100 people expected to call in today (Saturday) for a hot meal, advice and support at the centre.

Val Lynch who works in the Focus Ireland kitchen tells here what’s on the menu today https://twitter.com/FocusIreland/status/969904727856214018 and also explains how staff walked through the snow to keep the service open every day for people who are homeless or at risk. https://twitter.com/FocusIreland/status/969917225745502210

Focus Ireland Advocacy Manager Roughan Mac Namara said: “Our staff have been amazing during this terrible weather.  Many are walking to work or saying in the city centres around the country so we can keep our frontline services going.  We also provide over 1,000 homes nationwide and much of these are supported housing with staff working on site.  They have all gone the extra mile to be there to make sure everyone is looked after and safe.”

He added: “We have being getting great support from the public on social media and people have been very kind donating.  This support is so vital as we have to raise half our annual budget through donations and the support of the business community.  It’s so nice to see people making the effort and pulling together.  I have to say a special thank you to Amy Hubberman who did a lovely tweet asking for people to please text HOME to 50300 to donate 4 euro to Focus Ireland  https://twitter.com/amyhuberman/status/968986232800849921

It got a great response so thanks to Amy and all who donated.  It would be great if more do as our services and housing are needed now more than ever due to the continued deepening crisis with a record total of over 9,000 now homeless and so many at risk. People can also donate at focusireland.ie ”

Focus Ireland provides Services and Housing in counties Carlow, Clare, Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Limerick, Louth, Monaghan, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford.

Mr MacNamara added: “Focus Ireland workers nationwide are checking in our tenants to make sure they are OK and we will continue to check in with them in the days ahead.”

Focus Ireland is advising members of the public who see a person sleeping rough in Dublin to report their location through this link and the information is passed on to frontline staff on the streets.