Extreme Weather Emergency Protocol
The Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) leads the response to ensure homeless persons at risk are sheltered for the duration of any extreme weather event. We have been working with the our partners in homeless services and the other Dublin Local Authorities to develop and implement contingency plans, as part of a coordinated response that can be activated during extreme weather conditions or adverse event.
The DRHE receives direct alert weather warnings from Met Eireann to allow for contingency plans to be activated immediately. The Alert system involves three levels of severity: Red (highest severity and relatively rare events), Orange (severe weather- can impact significantly) and Yellow Alerts (not threatening to general population but can pose high risk for people exposed to the weather).
The alert warnings cover a broad range of weather types: Wind, Rain, Snow, Low Temperatures, Fog, High Temperatures, Thunderstorms, and Coastal Wind Warnings. Extreme Weather alerts can stay in effect for short periods or may be extended for a number of days. In 2018, so far, we have witnessed a high number & range of yellow, orange and red weather alerts involving snow, low temperatures, heat, rain and wind. The alert system is fully explained on Met Eireann’s website: https://www.met.ie/met-eireann-warning-system-explained
Responses to Extreme Weather Alerts:
The DRHE has a range of rapid emergency accommodation and support measures which will be activated depending on the level of severity and the type of weather alert predicted, these include:
- Ensuring continued operation of DRHE essential services;
- Increased capacity in existing emergency accommodation;
- Increased support services staffing and / or hours of operation by the Housing First Intake Team;
- Enhanced day services during extreme weather events;
- Additional emergency placements / shelters in various designated centre/s specifically targeted at people sleeping rough;
- Ensure effective communications systems are in place.
All of these responses have been implemented for extreme weather since 2018, led and fully resourced by DRHE, and operated by a range of NGO service providers with the specific competencies to respond quickly and effectively.
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ALERT | HOMELESS SERVICES RESPONSE |
RED | This is the most severe weather warning, and also quite rare. During red alerts the general population are advised to take protective measures. Depending on the location, type of alert, timing and duration of the alert, any or all of the following can be implemented:-
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ORANGE | Severe weather which can impact significantly. Depending on the location, type of alert, timing and duration of the alert, any number of the following can be implemented:
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YELLOW | Yellow alert indicates that the weather is not threatening to general population but can pose risk for people exposed to the weather. Depending on the location, type of alert, timing and duration of the alert, any number of the following can be implemented:
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General Information – Access to Services
If an individual / family is presenting as homeless for the first time in Dublin, their respective Local Authority will carry out a comprehensive assessment.
Dublin City Council Central Placement Service for singles and couples;
Tel: 01 222 6944 Monday to Friday: 10am to 4pm.
Email: homelesscps@dublincity.ie
Dublin City Council Central Placement Service for families;
Tel: 01 222 6977 Monday to Friday: 10am to 4pm
Email: family.support@dublincity.ie
Housing Support Officers
Provide housing advice and move on options to families and individuals in emergency accommodation.
Tel: 01 222 7437 Monday to Friday: 10am to 4pm
Email: housingsupport@dublincity.ie
Homeless HAP
Tel: 01 222 6955 Monday to Friday: 10am to 4pm
Email: homelesshap@dublincity.ie
Fingal County Council Homeless Section
Tel: 01 890 5090 Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm
Email: homeless@fingal.ie
South Dublin County Council Homeless Section
Tel: 01 414 9364 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Email: sdcchomeless@sdublincoco.ie
Dún Laoghaire – Rathdown County Council Homeless Section
Tel: 01 205 4804 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Email: homeless@dlrcoco.ie
Homeless FREEPHONE 1800 707 707; for access to emergency accommodation out of hours for the Dublin Region - 10am to 10pm 7 days a week
Tenancy Protection Service – 1800 454 454
Dublin Street Outreach Tel: 01 872 0185 from 7am to 1am, operating 365 days of the year
The DRHE in partnership with Dublin Simon Outreach and PMVT Intake team are assertively working on the streets offering accommodation to all rough sleepers. The teams are very familiar with the locations of people sleeping rough across the Dublin Region and persistently work with individuals to support them into emergency accommodation. This process can take time and multiple contacts, as some people do not want to engage (for whatever reasons) but the teams persevere with every person working to achieve a successful outcome.
The service operates 365 days a year, until 1am. The Outreach Teams also ensure that people sleeping rough are linked with other appropriate health services such as addiction and mental health services to prevent further rough sleeping.
We would also continue to ask the public for their assistance during this time to let us know if they come across someone sleeping rough on our website here or call 01 872 0185 or via our free app Dublin City Rough Sleeper Alerts available on both Apple & Android Platforms
Further Information
Contact: DRHEmanagement@dublincity.ie