The Cork Simon Community and the St Vincent de Paul Society have joined forces to provide a special cold weather shelter in Cork to try to ensure no one has to sleep rough on the city's streets over Christmas.
The shelter is in the city centre and is being made available by Cork-based property development company Frinailla Developments. It will be operational throughout the holiday period and into early January.
Cork Simon Community assistant director Aaron O'Connell said that last year a similar cold weather shelter was established and remained operational for some 40 days.
"The number of people currently sleeping rough in the city fluctuates but averages at about 15. Our goal again this Christmas is for everyone who is sleeping rough to have a bed in a place that is warm, welcoming and secure each night during the coldest period of the year.
"The cold weather shelter is an essential addition to the existing range of services available in Cork for men and women who find themselves homeless," said Mr O'Connell.
Cork City Council, the Health Service Executive, gardaí and a broad range of voluntary agencies have been working with the Cork Homeless Forum to address the many complex issues related to homelessness, said Mr O'Connell.
"We are making great progress and if we are to succeed in ending homelessness for good, then we need to work even more closely with the wider community," he said.
Anyone wishing to access the shelter can do so by contacting Cork's Simon emergency shelter at Anderson's Quay (021-4278728) or Cork's Simon day centre, also at Anderson's Quay (021-4278731).
