Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) experienced a surge in demand across its services last year, with record numbers seeking emergency shelter in its night cafe in Dublin.
The charity is seeing a wider group of people becoming homeless, with more young people — particularly care leavers — and more older people. Its annual review for 2018 shows a 20% increase in those aged 18 to 25 attending its Young Person Support Workers service, rising from 172 in 2017 to 207 in 2018.
In addition, it has seen a 7% increase in people accessing its healthcare services, with numbers availing of the drug harm reduction service up 6%. In 2018, there were over 30,000 visits to its needle exchange service in Dublin, which is a rise of 31% over the last five years.
Source: Corma O'Keeffe, Irish Examiner, 24th October 2019
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