The number of people who were homeless when they died decreased between 2021 and 2022, according to latest figures from the Health Research Board (HRB).
Figures show 124 people died while homeless in 2022, which was a decrease from 133 deaths in 2021.
In 2022, men accounted for 81% of the deaths, with a median age of 47 years. Women had a median age of 40.5 years.
Most of the deaths (57%) occurred in Dublin city and county, with 7% in Cork (city and county).
57% (71 people) were alone when they died, and 36 people died in a public place.
Sixteen people had been sleeping rough in the period leading up to their death.
Mental health difficulties were present among 47 people who died, and most of the deceased (84%) had a history of substance use.
Almost two in three deaths were non-poisoning deaths.
Six out of 10 of these were classified as medical, most commonly cardiovascular conditions.
Four in ten were traumatic deaths, primarily due to falls.
Over a third were due to poisoning (overdose), with 84% of poisoning deaths among men, and 16% among women.
The most common drug groups implicated were opioids, followed by benzodiazepines, cocaine, and alcohol.
Polysubstance poisoning accounted for seven in 10 poisoning deaths, and the proportion of these was the same among males and females.
Seventy-one people were alone when they died, while 36 had died in a public space.
HRB Chief Executive Dr Gráinne Gorman said that the report highlighted the “complexity of homelessness and the difficulties faced by some of the most vulnerable people in our society”.
“The Health Research Board captures and analyses this data to better understand the circumstances of these deaths and provide evidence that informs harm reduction strategies and future policies to help prevent them,” she said.
HRB Research Officer Cathy Kelleher said: “We know from our data that serious medical conditions, problem drug use and mental ill health were still among the additional challenges faced by the people who died while homeless, with many people impacted by more than one of these at the time of death.”
The overall figure is slightly lower than in 2021, but 31% higher than in 2019, which Ms Kelleher described as “significant”.
‘While the circumstances surrounding these deaths are similar to previous years, the increase in the number of people who have died while homeless is significant.
“The HRB will continue to monitor these trends over time and inform policy makers and service providers,” she said.
Additional reporting Gavin O’Callaghan