Dublin Simon Community Usher’s Island Health and Addiction Care Facility: Opening Doors to Care
Dublin Simon Community Usher’s Island Health and Addiction Care Facility: Opening Doors to Care
Phase 1 Now Operational and Providing Essential Services
We are proud to announce that Dublin Simon Community’s Usher’s Island Health and Addiction Care Facility has officially begun operations with the opening of 51 beds, marking the completion of phase one of this landmark project. This facility, the first of its kind in Ireland, will serve as a vital resource for adults experiencing homelessness, providing critical services such as detox, step-up and step-down intermediate care, and Blood Borne Virus treatment.
With the facility now operational, the focus shifts to consolidating its services and ensuring a seamless transition for both clients and staff in this new environment. This phase involves refining processes and working toward full functionality to provide the highest quality care to those in need. Once services are bedded down, we will work on an official opening date.
Impact on the Health and Homeless Sectors
Usher’s Island is designed to be a game-changer for both the health sector and the homeless community. Over the coming years, this facility once fully operational will enable Dublin Simon Community to support between 1,200 and 1,400 adults annually, offering comprehensive health, addiction recovery, and wellbeing services.
The benefits of Usher’s Island extend beyond those who directly use the facility. By providing early interventions and specialised care, we will help reduce the demand for hospital emergency department beds, shorten hospital stays, and free up outpatient appointment slots. These services will not only alleviate pressure on public hospitals but will also generate substantial savings by reducing the overall burden on the healthcare system.
Government Commitment and Funding
In 2019, the government agreed to fund the development of this 100-bed health and addiction care facility, designed specifically for people who are homeless. The facility stands as a flagship government project aimed at meeting the health needs of vulnerable populations and is a key commitment under the Housing for All strategy. The funding for construction was provided by the Department of Housing through the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS).
This week, the building has been officially transferred from contractors to Dublin Simon Community. The final costs are still to be confirmed, but we estimate a 4% overrun on the capital costs, an extraordinary achievement given the circumstances of the economic environment.
The successful launch of phase one would not have been possible without the unwavering support and funding provided by the Department of Housing for the capital and Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE) on some operational costs We are grateful for their partnership and for recognising the crucial role this facility will play in improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
Consolidation and Future Focus
Phase two of Usher’s Island is planned for 2025, and with the agreed funding, the facility will reach its full capacity of 100 beds. We are actively working to secure the remaining funding resources needed to complete this next phase, which will allow us to double our current capacity and further enhance the health and addiction services available to those most in need.
At Dublin Simon Community, we remain steadfast in our mission to support people through their health and addiction treatment journeys and to make home a reality for all. This facility represents a key milestone in that mission, and we look forward to sharing the positive impact it will have in the months and years to come.
Thank you once again to the Department of Health, the HSE, and all our supporters for making this vision a reality.
Catherine Kenny
CEO, Dublin Simon Community