Demand for homeless services rises 20%

THE number of homeless people and drug users seeking help continued to rise last year, according to a leading charity.

Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) said there was a 20% increase in demand for its homeless services and a 9% rise in its needle exchange service for drug users.

MQI director Tony Geoghegan said: “I think the increasing numbers of people coming for help to our open door services reflects a lack of options and opportunities out there for homeless people and drug users.”