15th April 2026
Ber Grogan, Executive Director, Simon Communities of Ireland said:
“This is another heartbreaking report by the Health Research Board (HRB). The findings on deaths among people experiencing homelessness in 2022 shows that 124 lives were tragically lost during 2022. The report makes for grim reading. It shows that most of those who died had a history of drug or alcohol use; the majority were single; and a high number were alone at the time of death. The median ages of men and women were 47 and 41 respectively.
This is a shameful indictment of our housing and homeless crisis. Higher numbers of women had a history of mental health difficulties and the data shows the some of the men who tragically died had access drug or alcohol treatment services during their lives.
Simon Communities of Ireland is consistently calling for a cross-departmental approach to ending homelessness. We have recently submitted to the consultation on the New National Drugs Strategy calling for a health-led approach to addiction. The reality is that we have a two-tier health and housing system, where those who have the funds to access timely services and interventions have that support and others could end up dying alone on the streets.”
Media contact: Aileen Gaskin 086 166 2160 / aileen@gaskincommunications.ie
