Cork city homelessness day centre yet to be approved after 18-month delay 

Cork City Council sought nearly €1m from the government almost 18 months ago in order to deliver a homelessness day centre, but the project has yet to be approved.

In December, the HSE tendered for a premises for the centre, which it has been working on plans for with the city council and government, seeking expressions of interest in a public contract for “a pioneering, integrated services hub in the city centre”.

The hub would offer people who are sleeping in emergency shelters a place to spend time during the day, and offer services to help with health and addiction issues.

Sinn Féin’s Michelle Gould asked the council when had it applied for government funding to deliver this centre, if a partner had been found to come on board with this project, and when it will be open.

“I have consistently advocated for the opening of such a vital facility the homeless people of Cork,” Ms Gould said. “Homeless people are walking the streets of Cork in freezing cold and wet weather conditions.”

The council’s director of corporate, community and cultural affairs, Rebecca Loughry, said “a joint application for funding was sent to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) and the Department of Health on October 3, 2024, as a joint partnership between Cork City Council and the HSE Social Inclusion Cork/ Kerry”.

“The application is awaiting approval. €912,000 was sought by Cork City Council in Section 10 funding from the DHLGH,” Ms Loughry said.

“Following receipt of approval, discussions will commence with partners for the delivery and operation of this facility. An opening date is not known as it is dependent on clarification of answers given in this response.”

Ms Gould expressed concern about the time that had been taken so far and the lack of an estimated completion date, but Ms Loughry said: “We are very optimistic about this project, but it does need to go through the different approval mechanisms.”