Providers net €2.44m for accommodating Dublin’s homeless

The homeless crisis in Dublin is proving to be lucrative for hotel and other accommodation providers.

Figures provided by Dublin City Council show that in the third quarter of this year accommodation providers received €2.44m from the city council to provide emergency accommodation for the homeless.

The Newlands Cross Hotel, on the western outskirts of Dublin received just over €200,000 or €2,175 per night in homeless bed non-capitation payments.

Dublin’s Lord Mayor, Cllr Christy Burke (Ind) said: “The city council is making millionaires out of some hotel owners because of the homeless crisis and that is an indication of the Government’s failure to deal with the issue. There is a lack of political will and action is needed.”

Mr Burke said the money spent on hotel nights “is the price you pay to avoid having men, women and children walking the streets.

“There are between 600 and 700 children in emergency accommodation, including hotels. It is not ideal, but what is the alternative?

“I’m sure the money being paid to hotels would be sufficient to build proper accommodation for the homeless,” he said.

The city council paid an additional €2.5m to organisations providing for the homeless, including the Dublin Simon Community and the Peter McVerry Trust in the July to September period.

Smorgs Ltd — the operator of the Travelodge brand in Ireland — received €133,782 during the period or €1,454 per night.

Moran Group’s Bewley’s hotel at Dublin Airport received €79,023. The figures show that the firm behind the Sunnybank hotel in Glasnevin received €157,225.

Another provider located in the city centre, the Inn on the Liffey, received €105,635. Newdara Ltd trading as The Portobello, received €119,570. The Belvedere hotel, just off Parnell Square, received €119,570. Caulfield’s hotel on Dorset Street receiving €69,088.

Separate city council figures show that the Dublin Simon Community received €810,206 to fund its work towards helping the homeless, with Depaul Trust Ireland receiving €797,541 under the same heading.

The figures show that the Peter McVerry Trust Ltd received payments, including arrears, totalling €265,819, with Sofia Housing Association Ltd receiving €254,098, while Franciscan Social Justice Initiative received €222,352.