Tipp business leaders asked to help homeless
Focus Ireland is calling on Ireland’s business leaders to unite to help end the nation’s homelessness crisis. The latest Department of Housing report shows that 14,303 people are currently accessing emergency accommodation, including 2,093 families and 4,404 children. In the South East region there are currently 49 families and 89 children accessing emergency accommodation
The charity has issued an open letter signed by Pat Dennigan, Focus Ireland CEO, and supported by Bord Gáis Energy, addressed to the heads of all Irish business organisations. It asks them to “use their resources and innovative capabilities” to make a practical impact on Ireland’s housing and homelessness issue, and to lead by example this October 11 for Shine A Light, by taking part in a sleep out. Mr Dennigan said: “Sleeping out for one night is not the same as experiencing homelessness but it is a chance for people to show they care and stand in solidarity with over 14,303 people now homeless in Ireland.”
In the letter to business leaders, Mr Dennigan said homelessness is “one of the most pressing social issues facing Ireland today,” describing the most recent homelessness figures as “heartbreaking”. He also highlighted the fact that despite Ireland’s current economic prosperity, homelessness in Ireland is now higher than at any point in recent history.
Focus Ireland is calling for Ireland’s business leaders and the wider community to unite for Shine A Light on October 11, to create “a national day of empathy and action” for those living in hidden homelessness. Business leaders are being asked to sign up for an official Shine A Light sleep out fundraising event in TU Dublin, Grangegorman or Cork City Gaol, and to challenge a colleague or peer to join them. Businesses are also encouraged to organise a Workplace Sleep Out on their own premises for employees. Social media giant Meta along with global engineering and construction company John Sisk & Son were among the first to pledge support with companies from all sectors across Ireland expected to follow suit over the coming weeks. “By shining a light on this critical issue and raising vital funds to help take more people out of homelessness, together we can help reassure people experiencing homelessness that they are not forgotten,” Mr Dennigan said.