Project to tackle drug culture loses out

Plans for a new homeless centre which was to tackle the problem of antisocial behaviour on Dublin's Liffey Boardwalk have been shelved due to lack of Health Service Executive (HSE) funding for the project.

The drop-in centre in Middle Abbey Street was proposed in 2006 following a rise in antisocial behaviour on the boardwalk associated with illegal drinking, drug use and drug dealing.

Dublin City Council agreed to provide a building for the centre and has refurbished and fitted the premises over the last 18 months. The Ana Liffey Drug Project, which already operates in Abbey Street, was to run the centre and funding of about €500,000 a year was to be provided by the HSE through the State's Homeless Agency.

Ana Liffey had been advancing plans for the centre since August 2006 in regular contact with a working group including gardaí, the city council, the Homeless Agency and other drug and alcohol centres including Merchants Quay Ireland and Coolmine House, and hoped to open the centre in the coming months.

However, Ana Liffey director Tony Duffin said he has been told in recent weeks by the Homeless Agency that the HSE had decided they would not be assisting because of funding constraints.

"We have been involved in a lengthy partnership process with the Homeless Agency, then we get to the end of January and we find out that the HSE has no money for it. They gave absolutely no indication that there was no money until January. It seems someone has just suddenly decided to pull the rug on it."

The Homeless Agency has confirmed the HSE said funding would not be available. The HSE said funding was under consideration, but a spokeswoman would not say if the Homeless Agency or Ana Liffey had been told that funding was not available.

Mr Duffin said the HSE has been aware since August 2006 that the project was being developed. "We had been expanding our services on the understanding that the funding would be available, but we can't continue to do that."

It would have provided a safe place for people with drug and alcohol problems, counselling and social work services and referral to stabilisation and rehabilitation clinics, Mr Duffin said.

Fine Gael Senator Paschal Donohoe said the lack of HSE funding meant the boardwalk was likely to be the site of antisocial activity again this summer.

"The boardwalks alongside the River Liffey in Dublin city centre are meant to be a source of civic pride and an amenity which tourists and Dubliners can enjoy. Previous summers have, however, seen these boardwalks become a magnet for people with drug and alcohol problems."