Discharged hospital patients heading straight to Wexford County Hall in search of homeless accommodation

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Hospital patients with no fixed abode are being discharged from Wexford General and heading straight to County Hall in search of accommodation. Claiming that many of those coming from the hospital are still convalescing from their ailments, Councillor Jim Codd said these people are generally in no condition to stay in a homeless shelter.

“They often arrive with very little forewarning and Wexford County Council (WCC) is expected to just magic up beds,” he said at the monthly meeting of the Rosslare Municipal District (RMD). “In some cases people are convalescing and not in any condition to be put into a hostel or crash beds.

“We have to look at how we communicate with the hospital and the prison system for that matter.”

However, housing officer Sharon Ryan said WCC did liaise with those who were using homeless services and found themselves in hospital.

“We have social care workers who assist them to find somewhere suitable to stay,” she said.

“I think you’re painting a very pleasant picture, Sharon,” replied an unconvinced Cllr Codd.