Merchants Quay Ireland gives stamp of approval for An Post ‘Address Point’ initiative

Merchants Quay Ireland, the national homeless and addiction charity, has today welcomed An Post’s ‘Address Point’ initiative, which will offer people who are homeless a fixed postal address at their local post office.

Address Point, launched today in the GPO, will provide a free personal address and mail collection service for people who are homeless or living in temporary accommodation.

Speaking on the news of the launch, Merchants Quay Ireland Homeless Service Coordinator Fiona McDonnell said:

“Every year, Merchants Quay supports thousands of people sleeping rough or living in homeless accommodation. This initiative by An Post will help every single one of those people.

“We are delighted that An Post are seeking to meet the needs of a marginalised group in such a practical way. With over 10,000 people now trapped in homelessness, we all need to remember the traumatic impact this crisis is having on individuals and families.

“For our clients, not having a postal address can be a barrier to accessing employment, social welfare entitlements, and stable accommodation. Ultimately, it can deny people the chance to move beyond homelessness. It is Merchants Quay’s hope that Address Point will help to combat these issues and help rebuild the lives that homelessness has destroyed.”

-ENDS-

 

For more information, please contact:

Andrew Rooney
Communications Officer
Merchants Quay Ireland
T: 01 531 2958
M: 086 7793 208
Email: andrew.rooney@mqi.ie

Website: www.mqi.ie
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MerchantsQuayIR
Twitter: @MerchantsQuayIR

About Merchants Quay Ireland

Merchants Quay Ireland is a leading Irish charity working with people who are homeless and in addiction. The organisation provides services ranging from open access crisis intervention and health promotion services to day-support programmes, educational programmes, vocational training, residential treatment, detox and prison counselling. www.mqi.ie.

To find out more about Merchants Quay Ireland’s work, please see our newly released short film: https://youtu.be/8SkkmxdtLyE