Charity reports surge in demand for its homeless, addiction, and mental health services

Merchants Quay Ireland is named for its primary base in Dublin but it also provides services in the North East, Cavan-Monaghan, the East Coast, and the Midlands. File picture: Collins 

Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) saw significant increases in the level of need across its homeless, addiction, and mental health services last year, according to a report.

Demands for almost all its services rose in 2024 — not only in its primary base in Dublin, but across its satellite services in the North East, Cavan-Monaghan, the East Coast, and the Midlands.

There was a 23% increase in meals provided, a 14% rise in GP consultations, a 12% increase in mental health supports, and a 55% rise in addiction interventions.

In a joint foreword to their directors’ report, chairperson Ray Langton and chief executive Eddie Mullins said 2024 was a year “marked by rising needs and increasing complexity”.

23% rise in meals for homeless people

The report said the Riverbank Centre along Dublin’s quays provided a range of drop-in services for those experiencing homelessness. It said: 

In 2024, a total of 81,878 meals were provided in our Riverbank Centre in Dublin. This is an increase of 23% on the number of meals provided in 2023. 

It said the meals service is often a “first point of contact” for many people.

The report said 1,189 clients availed of hot showers in Riverbank in 2024, equating to 4,027 showers in total.

“This was an increase of 8%, despite the shower block being out of commission for quarter four of 2024 due to construction work to establish the medically-supervised injecting facility.”

MQI said its Sunday breakfast and dinner service was one of the few spaces open on Sunday in the city where clients can also access showers, avail of a change of clothes, and get support around accommodation.

“In 2024, our Sunday service provided 10,530 meals to 2,345 unique clients — an increase of 19% from the previous year,” it said.

GP consultations rose 14% 

The report said the GP service provided 6,488 consultations for clients, ranging from addiction support to primary care, in 2024 — up 14% on the previous year.

It said mental health supports were provided to 443 individuals in 2024, with 2,362 tailored mental health interventions, an increase of 12% on 2023.

The addiction team carried out 2,670 addiction interventions in 2024 — a 55% increase on 2023. 

The charity's community engagement team carried out 751 patrols in the year, engaged with 504 residents and local businesses, and collected 2,289 needles and 748 crack pipes.

Its Cavan-Monaghan service saw a 51% increase in cocaine referrals and a 56% rise in street tablet (benzodiazepine) referrals.

Crack cocaine was also seen. The report said cocaine use in the Midlands continued to rise in 2024 — both powder and crack cocaine — which highlighted the need for more access to detox and rehab treatment services.

The report said Jane’s Place, an all-female service supporting women who are dealing with homelessness and addiction issues, supported 165 women in 2024.