A HOMELESS charity has setup over 100 ‘cocooning units’ that will be used to provide Dublin’s rough sleepers with a place to isolate in over the next couple of months.
Depaul is a cross-border charity supporting some of society’s most marginalised individuals, couples and families experiencing homelessness.
The charity’s mission is to end homelessness and help change the lives of those affected by it.
With Ireland in lockdown and, De Paul has taken steps to provide support for the most vulnerable homeless individuals experiencing symptoms of coronavirus.
Like many homeless charities, De Paul has found that its communal areas are not suitable for anyone attempting to self-isolate over the next few days and weeks.
The new cocooning units will provide some much-needed space and sanctuary for those with complex needs who would otherwise be left exposed to the elements and the virus.
Depaul are at the forefront of the crisis. Supported by HSE and DRHE we opened 13 self isolation beds on Monday and are working this afternoon on opening with hotel colleagues 100 self contained rooms for homeless people with complex needs ! #Workingtogether pic.twitter.com/FPjUW7dUZI
— DavidCarroll@CEO Depaul (@DavidCEODepaul1) March 26, 2020
Commenting on the plans, De Paul CEO David Carroll, said the plan is to begin filling the units in the next couple of days.
He said: "There is a process going on at the moment in order to identify people who have chronic health needs, such as people who are experiencing cancer, who have underlying heart disease or have had a stroke, or who have respiratory conditions.
"So those people will be identified and we will be filling those beds over the next couple of days."
The 100 cocooning units are part of 300 being offered across Dublin during the coronavirus crisis.
