Meanwhile, those who are refused access to the service are exposed to the elements throughout the night.

“I’ve dealt with people who have refused access and their only alternative is to walk the streets, and some of them are people who you wouldn’t want to see at a loose end in that position,” he said at the December meeting of the Wexford Borough District. “People are usually put out at 9 a.m. if they’re using the crash beds, are they expected to walk the streets on Christmas Day?”

In response, housing officer Edel Nolan said she would discuss the issue with the council’s homeless support service unit and return to Cllr Forde with further information.

Looking beyond Christmas and into the harsh winter months ahead, Cllr Forde then suggested Wexford County Council (WCC) follow the lead of one of its south-eastern neighbours.

“Carlow County Council has adverse weather beds available throughout the winter, we only implement them when the temperature reaches a certain point or there’s a weather warning in place,” he said. “It’s dangerous for people sleeping rough at any time during winter. This is something which has to be seriously looked at, can we look at opening these beds on a long-term basis?”

Again, Ms Nolan said she would discuss with her colleagues and return with a response.

The plight of the homeless in Wexford was also raised at the December meeting of the Rosslare Municipal District (RMD) where Cllr Jim Codd said the rise in synthetic opioids was leading to a rise in the number of those sleeping rough.

“We need to consider a hostel type scenario for these people,” he said. “There are examples of these across Europe, where people with addiction problems can at least be given a roof over their head.”

Accepting that staff at Ozanam House were often justified in refusing access to those with addiction issues, Cllr Codd said leaving people outside in the winter months was akin to handing down a death sentence.

“If you’re throwing out people who are addicted to drugs it really can be a death sentence in the winter. They haven’t done enough to get a few nights in jail, they’ve acted up, done a bit of shouting, and been kicked out of Ozanam House. And, as a result, they’re sleeping in doorways.”

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.