Over 500 people homeless in Limerick as Focus Ireland calls for community action

THERE are currently 529 people registered as homeless in Limerick City and County, including 153 families and more than 250 children across the Mid-West. This stark figure was revealed following a survey carried out by Focus Ireland and conducted by Empathy Research.

Focus Ireland is calling on Limerick businesses and the wider community to join the fight to end child homelessness by sleeping out for Shine A Light at the Crescent Shopping Centre this World Homelessness Day on Friday.

The charity's recent survey showed that the vast majority of Irish businesses (97%) consider homelessness to be a critical or significant problem that needs to be addressed.

The survey of over 100 businesses also revealed that 87% believe the business community has an important role to play in ending homelessness, while nine out of ten agree it is important that businesses actively support homelessness initiatives. Despite this only one in four businesses (25%) have previously engaged in initiatives to support people experiencing homelessness. 

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The survey showed that 16% of businesses have been directly or indirectly impacted by homelessness with respondents citing recruitment and retention challenges as key issues. A total of 83% of business leaders surveyed said they would advise the Government to prioritise long-term social housing in the Budget as a critical solution to ending the crisis.

The most recent Department of Housing report revealed that a record new total of 16,353 people – including more than 5,000 children (5,145) are now homeless and living in emergency accommodation across Ireland. While the crisis is most acute in the capital, the issue is worsening across the country. 

Focus Ireland's annual fundraising initiative with community sleep outs taking place in Limerick and across Ireland, along with business sleep out events in Dublin and Cork, aims to raise €1.2 million in vital funds to support families and children experiencing homelessness, as demand on the charity's services continues to rise with the worsening crisis. 

Focus Ireland believes that everyone has a right to a place to call home and that no child should be without a home. Homelessness has a particularly devastating impact on children, affecting their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.  

Calling on businesses to sleep out for Shine A Light, Pat Dennigan, CEO of Focus Ireland, said it’s time to end child homelessness: “The number of children in homelessness across Ireland has now risen above 5,000, and I am personally calling on the business community across Ireland to join us in taking action. By sleeping out for Shine A Light this October 10, together we will shine a light on Ireland’s children without a home."

"In Ireland in 2025, we must not allow another crisis affecting thousands of children, to go unnoticed, without action. I was encouraged to see that the Empathy research found that 87% of businesses recognise their crucial role in ending homelessness. This shared belief is our greatest strength, as we know we can’t solve this crisis alone.” 

Focus Ireland LEAP Ambassador James Flanagan added: “At just three years old, I experienced homelessness with my mother. Those painful memories as a child stay with me, and it’s heartbreaking to see thousands of kids living through the same thing today. We are seeing the worst it has ever been, with thousands of children experiencing the trauma of homelessness. We broke that cycle because we received support, and I encourage you to give that same chance to others. By taking part in Focus Ireland’s Shine A Light, you are directly helping individuals, children, and families to rebuild their lives.”

Companies from all sectors across Ireland are asked to sign up to sleep out for Shine A Light. 

Chairperson of the Limerick Organising Committee, Alec Morrissey, said: “This marks our second year hosting the Limerick Community Sleep Out at this fantastic venue, and our ambition for 2025 is greater than ever. We are aiming to raise significant funds, knowing that every euro will directly support families in desperate need.”

Príomh-Comhairleoir, Cllr Catherine Slattery, said: “Homelessness is not just about statistics, it is a human story, and we all have a role in changing the ending. Let’s use this time to educate, advocate, and prepare for a powerful night of solidarity and support.”

Brian O’Leary, Centre Manager for the Crescent Shopping Centre, commented: “We here at Crescent Shopping Centre are delighted to once again support Focus Ireland with their Shine A Light sleep out."