Homeless Deaths Up By 61%

TDs told 79 people died last year

- Ferghal Blaney

TDS have expressed their shock at a 61% rise in homeless deaths in the capital last year.

The Oireachtas housing committee heard how the city’s Regional Homeless Executive confirmed 79 people had died.

This compares to 49 fatalities in 2019 and 47 the year before.

Social Democrats housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan said deaths on the streets “cannot be tolerated.”

He added: “It is tragic so many people who are homeless died in 2020.

“It’s incredibly worrying that we have seen a 61% increase in homeless deaths in a year.

“We cannot tolerate this. We know what needs to be done to end homelessness.