The west of Ireland homeless organisation, Cope, has called for the provision of a "wet house" in Galway which would meet the needs of homeless people with alcohol problems who continue to drink.
A survey, conducted by Cope (Crisis Housing, Caring Support) last month, has indicated that the number of people with drink problems sleeping rough is on the increase in Galway city. Provision of a "wet house" was "essential" if the issue was to be addressed, Mr Martin O'Connor, Cope's assistant director, said yesterday.
A wet house is regarded as an innovative approach to a particular aspect of homelessness, in that it allows clients to drink on the premises.
There are three such shelters in the State - two run in Dublin by the Depaul Trust, a section of the St Vincent de Paul, and Dublin Simon, and a British-based agency, Novis, runs a similar project in Limerick city.
The projects focus on long-term street drinkers who have been barred from other hostels, and include people who may have poly-substance misuse problems, along with mental health issues, learning difficulties or serious physical health problems.
Mr O'Connor said the concept had been agreed in Galway's homeless action plan 2002-04, and was also endorsed in a draft strategy on substance abuse drawn up by the Western Health Board.
Cope provides emergency accommodation for up to 1,500 individuals and households annually, and has identified the issue of alcohol abuse as being a significant contributory factor.
The survey carried out by the organisation found there were 197 instances of rough sleeping, with a total of 57 individuals sleeping out on one or more nights during the month.
Some 32 of the 57 were unable to gain access to other shelters due to their drinking.
Mr O'Connor urged the health board to work with Galway City Council and the voluntary agencies involved in the Galway City Homeless Forum to make provision of the service a priority.