Press Release
Significant increase in demand from older people as Merchant’s Quay Ireland continues to support the most vulnerable
Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI), the national homelessness and addiction charity, today launched its 2024 Annual Report, showing a year of continued demand for its services. The report highlights 141,730 client engagements – a 3% increase on 2023.
This year also saw a notable rise in older people seeking support, with almost 900 over-55s cared for by MQI in 2024, compared to 692 in 2023. The charity also saw demand surge among women, with Jane’s Place – MQI’s dedicated, trauma-informed women’s service supporting 165 women through more than 1,100 interventions, a fourfold increase on the previous year.
Amongst the Report’s key findings:
- 141,730 overall client engagements (from 14,086 unique clients) – a 4% increase on 2023
- 81,878 meals provided – a 24% increase on 2023
- 4,027 showers provided to 1,189 unique clients
- 22,896 harm reduction interventions, including needle exchange and safer injecting training
- 15,364 in-prison counselling interventions across 11 Irish prisons
- 14,122 primary healthcare interventions, including 6,488 GP consultations and 2,362 mental health interventions
- 1,132 interventions delivered at Jane’s Place, MQI’s dedicated service for women – compared to 402 in 2023
- 155 people admitted to detox and rehab services – up from 123 in 2023
- 887 people over the age of 55 supported – up 28% from 692 in 2023
- 275 interventions for young people aged 18–24
- 327 families supported nationwide
Speaking at the launch, Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor said:
“Last year the Department of Health licenced Merchants Quay Ireland to open Ireland’s first Medically Supervised Injecting Facility for a pilot 18-month period. I welcome the high uptake and engagement in the service in the first eight months since the facility opened. Staff have assisted 1,102 unique clients, delivering 9,445 episodes of treatment. This demonstrates the importance of a health-led harm reduction approach for high-risk drug users.”
CEO of MQI Eddie Mullins said:
“2024 was a landmark year for MQI with the opening of Ireland’s first Medically Supervised Injection Facility at our Riverbank Centre. Already, the MSIF is saving lives by preventing overdose deaths, reducing infections, and providing dignity and safety where previously there was none. It represents a compassionate, evidence-based response to drug use – one that reduces harm, saves lives, and provides a gateway to treatment and recovery.
“Beyond this milestone, the figures in our Annual Report show the growing demand for homelessness, healthcare and mental health supports. We saw a 24% increase in meals served, highlighting the scale of need among people who are homeless. Every cup of tea, every meal represents an opportunity to meet people with kindness. Only when basic needs are met can we begin to support people out of homelessness and addiction.
“In 2024, we admitted 155 people to MQI’s detox and rehabilitation facilities. While this is a 26% increase (123 people) compared to 2023, we urgently require more beds, more therapies and more capacity in this regard, to address the growing waiting lists.
“Behind each statistic is a person in crisis, and we are proud to meet them with empathy, dignity, and connection. As we begin implementing our new Strategic Plan (2025–2027), MQI will continue to advocate strongly for health-led responses to addiction and homelessness”
-ENDS-
For more information or for a comment, please contact:
Q4 Public Relations, Lorna Gardiner | lorna@q4pr.ie | 086 0761374
To access MQI’s 2024 Annual Report: Click Here
