Government neglecting mental health needs - Amnesty

Amnesty International and the Simon Community have accused the Government of neglecting international human rights obligations in failing to tackle the needs of homeless people who are experiencing mental health problems.

A street appeal in Dublin today, organised by the two groups, is aiming to highlight the connection between homelessness and mental illness.

According to Amnesty International three quarters of homeless people suffer from mental health problems and one-third of those experience severe mental health illness.

Amnesty's Policy Officer, Fiona Crowley says homeless agencies need more support from the mental health services.

"Studies from New York have show that investing in community supportive services and supported accommodation for homeless people is massively cost effective. It reduces the strain on the prison system, on voluntary agencies and so on and even short term financial savings have been found."