State funding for just one social worker could save hours of time and energy in helping homeless street drinkers in Galway, according to the Simon Community.
Mr Padraic Kenna, of Galway Simon, said yesterday that a new approach was needed to deal with the issue.
"Given the amount of time put in by gardai, psychiatric and hospital services, the local authority and the chamber of commerce, it can only make economic sense to fund such a post," Mr Kenna said. He was speaking at the publication of the Simon Community report on homeless street drinkers, Out of Sight, Out of Mind.
Mr Kenna said there was no systematic approach to dealing with the needs of the homeless in Galway, so they were often alienated by services.
"When we have £40 billion coming onstream, surely we could spare the cost of one salary for social and outreach work," he said.
The Minister of State for the Environment, Mr Molloy, agreed there was a need to put together a programme to respond effectively to homeless people's needs, not just in terms of accommodation but also health and education.
"For my part, I can say that the capital funding required to provide suitable accommodation for homeless people will be available from my department, as well as current funding support," he said.
