DRHE: 1,758 Homeless in 6 Years; Direct Provision Exit Surge Since 2020

The Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) provided figures to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) showing 1,758 individuals presented as homeless over six years. A letter from DRHE Director Mary Hayes to the PAC highlights a sharp increase in people leaving Direct Provision and entering homeless services.

In 2020, 39 people became homeless after leaving Direct Provision, rising to 243 by 2023, then 638 in 2024, and 674 in 2025. This issue has been highlighted by refugee organizations since 2024. Single adults accounted for 1,362 of those presenting as homeless, while 69 families, including 127 children, entered homelessness in 2025.

The PAC requested "observations regarding people leaving International Protection and the profile of people presenting themselves as homeless" from the DRHE. As of January 2026, 36.3% of adults in emergency accommodation in Dublin (3,005) were non-EU/EEA nationals; 58% were single adults and 42% were adults in families. Leaving Direct Provision accounted for 25% of new single adult cases and 7% of family presentations in 2025.

Households voluntarily leaving IPAS may later seek emergency accommodation. The primary reasons for families entering homeless services in Dublin are: notices of termination (37%), relationship breakdown (10%), family reunification (8%), and single adults in emergency accommodation becoming a family (8%).