Focus Ireland issue call to Ireland’s business leaders

Focus Ireland calls on influential Irish Business Leaders to unite to help end Ireland’s homelessness crisis

Business Leaders asked to sleep out for Shine A Light on national day of empathy and action for those in homelessness

Focus Ireland is calling on Ireland’s business leaders to unite to help end the nation’s homelessness crisis.

The charity has issued an open letter signed by Pat Dennigan, Focus Ireland CEO, and supported by Bord Gáis Energy, addressed to the heads of all Irish business organisations. It asks them to “use their resources and innovative capabilities” to make a practical impact on Ireland’s housing and homelessness issue, and to lead by example this October 11 for Shine A Light, by taking part in a sleep out. Mr Dennigan said that, “Sleeping out for one night is not the same as experiencing homelessness but it is a chance for people to show they care and stand in solidarity with over 14,303 people now homeless in Ireland.

In the letter to business leaders, Mr Dennigan said homelessness is “one of the most pressing social issues facing Ireland today,” describing the most recent homelessness figures as “heartbreaking”. He also highlighted the fact that despite Ireland’s current economic prosperity, homelessness in Ireland is now higher than at any point in recent history.

In response to the crisis, Focus Ireland, supported by Bord Gáis Energy, is calling for Ireland’s business leaders and the wider community to unite for Shine A Light on October 11, to create “a national day of empathy and action” for those living in hidden homelessness. Business leaders are being asked to sign up for an official Shine A Light sleep out fundraising event in TU Dublin, Grangegorman or Cork City Gaol, and to challenge a colleague or peer to join them. Businesses are also encouraged to organise a Workplace Sleep Out on their own premises for employees. Social media giant Meta along with global engineering and construction company John Sisk & Son were among the first to pledge support with companies from all sectors across Ireland expected to follow suit over the coming weeks.

 “By shining a light on this critical issue and raising vital funds to help take more people out of homelessness, together we can help reassure people experiencing homelessness that they are not forgotten,” Mr Dennigan said.

The latest Department of Housing report shows that 14,303 people are currently accessing emergency accommodation, including 2,093 families and 4,404 children. In the last 12 months, homelessness increased by 14% and the number of children homeless rose by a shocking 17%.  The majority of those experiencing homelessness are staying in unsuitable emergency accommodation such as hostels or hotels. These are not homes; they are often overcrowded, noisy environments lacking privacy or security, where people struggle to rebuild their lives.

Mr Dennigan commented on the fact that children growing up without stable housing are particularly impacted, experiencing severe setbacks in their education, health and overall well-being. For children of school-going age, homelessness can impact their ability to build friendships, as they don’t have the same home based opportunities to host playdates or parties as other children their age. Furthermore, without proper support, children living in emergency accommodation can experience malnutrition, developmental delays, psychological issues and devastating lifelong consequences.

Speaking about the call for the business community to shine a light on the issue and take action to help end homelessness, Dave Kirwan, Managing Director, Bord Gáis Energy, said, “As business leaders, I believe our responsibility goes beyond our corporate walls to the communities we serve. I encourage CEOs, managing directors and senior executives to join me in the annual Shine A Light Business Leader Sleep Out on October 11. It’s not just about stepping outside our comfort zone for a night, it’s about raising vital funds for Focus Ireland, who are providing workable solutions to the problem. It’s also an opportunity to have meaningful conversations with colleagues and peers about this critical issue. By participating in Shine A Light, we can amplify our collective voice and influence, take our own practical action to help, and contribute to creating a fairer future for all. It has been our privilege to support Focus Ireland’s Shine A Light event since 2018. We cannot stress enough the importance of Focus Ireland’s work tackling homelessness.”

Focus Ireland annually delivers more than 100 services across the country supporting over 16,000 people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Demand for the charity’s services is at an all time high and funding support is needed now more than ever.

Meadhbh Quinn, Bord Gáis Energy, Head of Marketing, commented, “As a community, we believe our collective efforts can bring about meaningful change and restore hope to thousands of families and individuals who find themselves in desperate circumstances. Together, we can create a future where every individual and family in Ireland has a safe and stable place to call home. By giving up just one night, we can help Focus Ireland raise vital funds to help end family homelessness.”

How businesses can help:

1. Sign up to ‘sleep out against homelessness’ on Shine A Light on Friday October 11 in TU Dublin Grangegorman or Cork City Gaol and fundraise for Focus Ireland.
2. Encourage your colleagues and fellow business leaders to join you at a Shine A Light event on Friday October 11.
3. Organise your own Workplace Sleep Out to educate and engage your employees as part of your CSR initiatives.

To sign up to take part in Shine A Light or find more information, please visit shinealight.focusireland.ie