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An academic and researcher at ��ɫ��Ƶ is playing a pivotal role in an expert group set up to tackle homelessness and drug addiction.

Dr Laura Keyes, Director of the Centre for Implementation Research at the ��ɫ��Ƶ (CIRcUL), was a key member of the expert set up by Mayor ��ɫ��Ƶ John Moran.

The group, which is co-chaired by Cllr Sarah Beasley and Mayor Moran, is made up of officials from Limerick City and County Council’s Housing Support Services team, An Garda Síochána, the HSE, approved housing bodies, researchers from ��ɫ��Ƶ and others from the voluntary sector.

It was agreed that the group’s remit will specifically focus on tackling street homelessness and linked dynamics to drug use in Limerick city and county.

The group has been engaging in stakeholder mapping and data gathering, led by Dr Keyes, and is continuing to progress its work in supporting individuals and families.

A series of workshops held with stakeholders, including those with lived experiences of addiction and homelessness, have been held in recent weeks. The aim of these workshops was to generate fresh insights and innovative solutions that could inform future strategies, policies, and interventions to better address these social challenges in Limerick and further afield.

A questionnaire intended to be completed by people living with street homelessness on a voluntary basis has also been developed by the group in conjunction with UL. This questionnaire is unique and is believed to be the first of its kind to be completed in the country by persons who are directly affected by street homelessness.

Distribution of the questionnaire has recently begun in conjunction with Ana Liffey and St Vincent de Paul (SVP) and it, along with other actions being addressed by the group, will inform its final report.

It is envisaged that this data, being gathered by speaking with those who have lived experiences of homelessness and addiction directly, will eventually enable Limerick City and County Council and other bodies to adopt even more effective, person-centred policies to improve quality of life.

Mayor ��ɫ��Ƶ, John Moran, commented: “As Mayor, I welcome the continued progress of the cross-agency group we established to tackle the complex challenges of homelessness and addiction in Limerick. I want to thank Cllr Sarah Beasley, Dr Laura Keyes and officials from Limerick City and County Council for embracing this innovation to policy development in Limerick in an area where people forward thinking is so important.

“The work group will play an important role in producing specific practical policy actions, which can be prioritised over the course of the More for Limerick Mayoral Programme. It isn’t about a short-term fix, though. We want to take our time to understand root causes through data, listening to those who are experiencing homelessness and addiction, and to ensure our policy is formed by hearing those voices. But we remain focused and determined to find a better solution for Limerick.”

Co-Chair of the group, Cllr Sarah Beasley, expressed her gratitude to the volunteers who have supported the task force since its inception late last year.

“Their commitment and compassion are driving real momentum behind our shared mission. I’d also acknowledge my colleagues in Limerick City and County Council for their hands-on approach and extended thanks to An Garda Síochána for their partnership. A special appreciation also to Dr Laura Keyes and her team for their expert analysis, which is crucial in shaping informed policies. Helping the homeless and the addicted has been a passion of mine for the last 10 years, even before my election. Together, we are working towards meaningful, lasting change," she concluded.

Dr Laura Keyes explained: “CIRcUL is delighted to be supporting this crucial work to ensure the needs are met of some of the most vulnerable people in Limerick. This collaboration between the University and the Council demonstrates the power of evidence-informed policy in driving meaningful change. By bringing together academic expertise and local insight, we’re ensuring that decisions are grounded in research and focused on real-world impact.”

The task force remains dedicated to assisting individuals facing homelessness and addiction within the community.

It is anticipated a further update on the working group will be issued upon the completion the group’s work and the publication of its final report.