There was a rise in the number of people over the age of 55 who sought support from the homelessness and addiction charity Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) last year.
Almost 900 over-55s were supported by MQI in 2024, compared to 692 in 2023, according to its latest annual report.
Overall, there were 141,730 client engagements last year, a 3% rise in engagement compared to 2023.
The charity also saw demand surge among women.
In 2024, MQI moved the women's service to a newly-renovated facility in Dublin 2 called Jane's Place which supported 165 women last year.
This was a near-threefold increase on the previous year according to Merchants Quay Ireland.
While many MQI services are based in Dublin, the charity expanded its remit beyond the capital a number of years ago.
MQI's Drugs Alcohol and Treatment Services (DATS) deliver a community-based prevention and treatment support services to those over 18 and their families.
When compared to the 2023 annual report, the number of interventions by MQI DATS in the Midlands dropped significantly in 2024.
There were 1,167 interventions in 2023, compared to 606 last year.
The reason for the fall was due to staff and capacity according to MQI. In 2024, there was a reduced team because of hiring difficulties, which it says has since been amended.
Despite the fall in interventions, the 2024 report says cocaine use in the Midlands continued to rise in 2024 which it states "highlighted the need for more access to detox and rehab treatment services".
Many homeless people avail of hot meals and shower facilities provided by the charity in Dublin.
The meal service is often a first point of contact for many people experiencing homelessness, enabling clients to engage with staff and receive support.
In 2024, a total of 81,878 meals were provided the Riverbank facility in Dublin, up from 66,126 meals provided in 2023.
The Sunday hot meal service - fully funded by donations from the public - is one of the few spaces open on Sunday in Dublin city where clients can access a free hot dinner.
In 2024, it provided 10,530 meals to 2,345 unique clients, which was an increase of 19% from the previous year according to the report.
Last year, the Department of Health licenced Merchants Quay Ireland to open Ireland’s first Medically Supervised Injecting Facility for a pilot 18-month period.
Staff have assisted 1,102 unique clients, delivering 9,445 episodes of treatment.
In 2024, a total of 155 people were admitted to MQI’s detox and rehabilitation facilities.
Chief Executive Eddie Mullins has said more beds are urgently required, as well as more therapies and more capacity to address the growing waiting lists.
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