385 Cork people helped in 2024: Depaul giving people ‘chance to go home’

The number of homeless adults in Cork has risen by approximately 23% in the past year, with homeless charity Depaul calling on members of the public to assist with their winter campaign.

According to national figures, published by the Department of Housing, a record 16,614 people, including more than 5,200 children, are now homeless.

Of the 743 adults accessing emergency accommodation between September 22 and September 28 in the South-West region, 675 were recorded in Cork city and county, and 68 were in Kerry.

This represents a 22.95% increase on the number of adults accessing emergency accommodation in Cork when compared to September of last year, when the figure stood at 549.

Additionally, on a national scale, the figures show there were 2,443 families accessing emergency accommodation during the last week of September, including 5,238 child dependants.

Of those 2,443 families, 102 were recorded in the South-West, with a total of 215 child dependants.

This represents an increase of 10.87% on the number of families accessing emergency accommodation in the South-West when compared to September of last year, and a 17.5% increase on the number of child dependants.

Off the back of these figures, and as we approach the Christmas period, Depaul is now calling on members of the public across Cork to help rebuild the lives of both those who are living in emergency accommodation, and who are sleeping rough, across the city and county, by donating to the service.

Figures provided to The Echo by Depaul from an annual report show that almost 4% of the 9,836 people supported by the organisation in 2024 were in Cork.

“The report highlights a year of stark challenges, but significant impact,” a spokesperson for Depaul said.

“Nearly 10,000 people were supported across the island of Ireland, with 385 being from Cork, but Depaul warns of longer waiting lists, increased traumas, and deeper mental health and addiction needs amongst service users.”

Data from the report shows that 50,257 key-working sessions were delivered across the country in 2024, marking a 26% increase on 2023.

The figures additionally revealed that Depaul helped 1,012 people move into long-term accommodation and prevented 562 individuals and families from entering or returning to homelessness.

Registered volunteers also increased by 49%, with volunteer hours rising by 18.3% to 20,192 hours.

The report further showed that 16 babies were born into Depaul’s services last year.

Director of services and development at Depaul, Dermot Murphy, said Christmas is “about coming home; about safety, warmth and belonging, but for thousands of people across Ireland, there’s no door to open and no place to call home”.

“Our fundraising appeal seeks not just to provide immediate relief but to foster long-term solutions,” said Mr Murphy.

“This campaign asks everyone to pause, imagine that reality, and act.

“The truth is, it’s becoming harder and harder to make a home for Christmas.

“With the resources we have, we do everything we can, but it’s the generosity of the public that allows us to keep going.

“Every gift helps someone feel safe tonight and gives them hope for tomorrow,” he added.

“This is about more than providing a bed or a meal, it’s about giving people back their sense of belonging.

“That’s what every donation really builds — hope, dignity, and the chance to start again.

“Every donation to Depaul this Christmas will help us lay the foundations for change — safe accommodation, a hot meal, mental health support, or the keys to a new beginning.

“With enough public support, we can help more people find their way home.”

Through their 43 services across Ireland, Depaul provides safe accommodation, wrap-around mental health and addiction supports, and stability for about 800 people every night who would otherwise have nowhere else to go.

According to the organisation, the aspiration of a long-term home is the main hope for every one of Depaul’s service users, with every donation directly supporting Depaul’s frontline work across the country.

This work includes helping to provide beds, nourishing meals, and emergency care in the short term, and funding for long-term supports to assist people experiencing homelessness this Christmas in moving into secure, independent housing.

Former Depaul service users, Catriona and Christopher, who recently moved into their own home, said before now “Christmas meant fear and uncertainty”.

“We spent years homeless, moving between temporary places and never ever feeling settled,” said Caitriona and Christopher.

“Depaul didn’t just give us shelter, they gave us a chance.

“This year, for the first time in a long time, we’ll be home for Christmas, and that means everything to us.

“No adult, and certainly no child, should ever have to face Christmas without a place to call home.

“We know how hard that is, and we wouldn’t wish it on anyone,” they added. “We’re asking people to please support Depaul this Christmas, because your help can give someone else the same chance we were given — the chance to go home.”

Members of the public can visit depaul.ie/homeforchristmas to make a donation to the winter campaign, all of which will contribute to the building of a much-needed home by funding the essential supports that make one.

The organisation has said that donations of all sizes will help to provide vital supports across Depaul’s services, from emergency accommodation and family hubs, to mental health and addiction support.

“Every donation, big or small, builds hope and can significantly impact the lives of those experiencing homelessness this festive season,” a Depaul spokesperson said.

“This will help to ensure that more people have somewhere to call home this Christmas and the next.”