Homeless hub ‘at least a year away’

An integrated homeless services hub, which is planned for Cork city, is not expected to be completed until 2027.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of Cork’s Local Community and Safety Partnership, HSE Social Inclusion Specialist David Lane said that there shouldn’t be an expectation of the centre being completed this year.

“We put the project out for tender in December last year and we have received a number of applications as part of that process.

“However, based on my experience of projects of this kind, I wouldn’t expect to see completion until 2027,” he said.

The project is expected to cost in the realm of €5-6 million. A location has not been confirmed.

In December, the Cork Independent reported the proposed hub would be a “one-stop shop for all homeless services”.

Mr Lane said it will be incredibly important for providing support for Cork’s homeless population.

The centre is expected to provide support 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

However, the time frame was criticised by a number of representatives at the meeting.

Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice said the 12 month time frame was “too long”.

“Cork desperately needs this service, so we need to see if there’s a way it can be delivered more quickly,” he said.

Fine Gael TD Jerry Buttimer also expressed concern, and asked if there was any way that the project could be “expedited”.

The hub would add to the homeless services available to people in Cork city.

In December, an indoor facility was opened on Kryl’s Quay, to the rear of the North Main Street Shopping Centre, to provide volunteer-led homeless support groups a space to provide their street kitchen services in a safe, sheltered, and secure space.

This article was produced with the support of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme funded by Coimisiún na Meán.