24/1/2025
Homeless addicts in Limerick are having to make the heartbreaking decision to leave refuges and return to the streets or else face relapse.
This stark reality was spelled out by Aontú Councillor for Limerick City North, Sarah Beasley, ahead of the passing of her motion at Limerick City and County Council which called for immediate and measurable action by homeless service providers.
She called for the agencies like the HSE and An Garda Síochána to work together to implement robust protocols to address substance misuse in facilities such as the 9-to-9 hostel programme.
Cllr Beasley says.
“There is a critical gap in the current system: the lack of measurable data on how existing inter-agency frameworks are performing. Without clear metrics, it is impossible to assess whether interventions are working or where the system is failing. While some inter-agency cooperation may exist on paper, the persistent availability of substances in hostels demonstrates that current approaches are inadequate. Strengthening cohesion between agencies with clear, measurable outcomes is essential to protect those seeking recovery.
I have worked with homeless addicts for years and I know that we can do so much more to help them. Currently we are failing them.
Vulnerable people desperately trying to maintain sobriety are being forced to choose between homelessness and relapse. Drugs and alcohol remain freely available within facilities that should be safe havens for recovery.”
Key elements of the approved motion include:
- Monthly incident reports tracking drug and alcohol activity in facilities.
- Quarterly progress reports to the Metropolitan District
- Enhanced coordination protocols between HSE, Gardaí, and service providers
- Regular inter-agency meetings with documented actions and accountability measures
- Six-monthly public reports demonstrating progress and identifying gaps.
“This is all about real action and real accountability—What’s measured gets managed,”
“These metrics will show whether interventions are working and demonstrate to residents that we are taking this issue seriously.”
“Recovery from addiction is difficult even under ideal circumstances,” concluded Councillor Beasley. “Expecting people to stay clean and sober while surrounded by active substance use is setting them up to fail. Our most vulnerable citizens deserve environments that support their recovery, not undermine it.”
“I am truly delighted with the support I received from my fellow Councillors on this very serious issue. We can do so much more to help these vulnerable homeless addicts and together we can”.
The motion now moves to relevant agencies for implementation, with the first progress report expected within three months.
