Additional beds have been put in place in Dublin for those sleeping rough ahead of a low temperature warning that is due to come into effect tonight.
It comes as Met Éireann warned that they could drop below -3C overnight, after a Status Yellow low temperature warning was issued for ten counties.
Chief Executive of Dublin Simon Community Catherine Kenny said beds are available "in the system" for people tonight.
Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, Ms Kenny said it is "important" that people contact their local authority or if in Dublin, the freephone services on 1800 707 707.
The phone number is for anyone who needs shelter themself or for others to report if they see somebody sleeping rough.
An alternative resource is the free DHRE Rough Sleeper app, she said.
Ms Kenny said, this way, Dublin Simon Community can make sure that all of the accommodation that is available is being utilised.
Watch: The winter's first icy spell and what it means for homeless people
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She said the "number one priority" is always to encourage people to access and avail of the emergency accommodation that's available, or if that's not possible, then to manage the risks to people on the streets from the cold weather.
"We're making sure they have waterproofs, we're making sure that they're aware of day services that they can access to warm up, we're making sure that they're aware of where food and hot drinks are available," she said.
"And we're giving them practical advice in terms of seeking shelter and making sure that they're as safe as they can be while on the streets."
The low temperature warning comes into effect for Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow and Tipperary at 11pm tonight and will be in place until 8am tomorrow.
The forecaster said there will be widespread frost and some icy stretches, with minimum air temperatures of -3C but possibly lower in some areas.
It said the low temperatures could lead to hazardous travelling conditions and animal welfare issues.
A ⚠️Staus Yellow ⚠️low temperature warning has been issued for
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) November 20, 2025
Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Tipperary
Valid: 23:00 Thursday 20/11 to 08:00 Friday 21/11 pic.twitter.com/aX85UMjttp
A Yellow snow and ice warning for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Derry expired at midday.
The UK Met Office warned that wintry conditions overnight will bring some icy patches and lying snow in parts of Northern Ireland.
In the UK, blizzard conditions are possible in parts of north-east England where an amber warning for snow is in effect.
Sleet and snow showers will continue to hit UK coasts overnight, with worst-affected areas set to face disruption to travel and potential power cuts, the forecaster said.
Dublin City Council activates Cold Weather Strategy
Dublin City Council has activated the Cold Weather Strategy in the capital for people who are homeless.
In a statement, the council said: "As part of the Cold Weather Strategy for 2025/2026, the DRHE has provided for a total new capacity of 250 permanent beds.
"There are an additional 76 beds that can be activated as part of the Extreme Weather Emergency Protocol for 2025/26 when a weather warning is triggered.
"There is emergency accommodation available through the 4 Dublin Local Authorities and the DRHE along with our outreach providers will continue to monitor the weather and likely changes to weather warnings over the coming days and activate extreme weather emergency accommodation as required.
"The Dublin Region Outreach Service is working directly with rough sleepers from 7am to 1am Monday to Friday, and 8am to 1am Saturday and Sunday.
"We would also continue to ask the public for their assistance during this time to let us know if they come across someone sleeping rough on our website here or call 01 872 0185 or via our free app Dublin City Rough Sleeper Alerts available on both Apple & Android Platforms."
