Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI), the addiction and homeless services charity, is urging the Government to prioritise increased funding for its rehabilitation, detoxification and gender-specific services in the upcoming Budget 2025.

MQI’s all-female service, Jane’s Place, currently offers critical support to women with the complex needs of addiction, homelessness and mental health issues. The charity stresses the importance of sustainable funding for this facility to ensure continued vital care for vulnerable women. In 2023, Jane’s Place provided 402 interventions to 40 women.

The charity’s Pre-Budget Submission also emphasizes the urgent need for investment in its residential recovery services. MQI’s detoxification and rehabilitation units in St. Francis Farm, Carlow, and its rehabilitation facility in High Park, Dublin, are underfunded, despite rising demand. Last year, the St. Francis Farm Detox Unit saw a 35% increase in referrals, however only 49 of 319 people referred could be admitted, due to limited resources.

CEO of Merchants Quay Ireland, Eddie Mullins said:

“While the recommendations from the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use are promising, they require substantial government support to be realised. The sheer number of people seeking our services, is a clear indication of the urgent need for change, and for further investment in services throughout the country. We know that with access to the right supports, people can and do recover and rebuild their lives.

While such services nationwide require significant commitments, it pales into insignificance when compared to other Budget lines. What is incomparable, however, is the impact this funding will have on the people in addiction, and their families, who rely so desperately on MQI’s vital services.”

 

MQI is also calling for greater support for its open access, homeless and harm reduction day services which support marginalized people who do not engage with or may be excluded from other services or organisations. The charity supported 13,516 people last year, and demand continues to grow.

To view MQI’s full pre-budget submission, please visit www.MQI.ie/PreBudget

-ENDS-

For more information or to arrange an interview with our spokesperson, CEO Eddie Mullins, please contact:

Corina Fitzsimons
Communications Coordinator
Merchants Quay Ireland
086-779 3206
corina.fitzsimons@mqi.ie

You can also find us on our Website or on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Notes to Editor:

Amongst the Report’s key findings are;

• To see MQI’s full pre-budget submission – please see: www.MQI.ie/PreBudget.

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.