The SVP in Cork were honoured by a visit by the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins to one of their hostels on Wednesday to demonstrate his commitment to ending social exclusion. The President took time out to meet some of the clients and staff at the Deerpark Hostel on Friar’s Walk.
“Those suffering and those with special needs should always be close to the thoughts of those in positions of power and influence”, Michael D Higgins said during his first official visit to the city as President.
"Your citizenship has to be complete and full. Nobody should be on the edge or periphery" he said.
The Society’s care for the homeless in Cork goes back to the 1930s when a food kitchen was started and led onto a hostel. For many years the SVP ran a hostel on Merchant’s Quay which moved to a modern building at St. Vincent’s Hostel on Anglesea Terrace in the city centre. This has single-room accommodation and provides full board for 75 men out of home, with health and counselling services provided.
Deerpark House is a “transitional hostel,” providing an opportunity for homeless men to move towards achieving their own homes. It was completely re-designed and re-opened in 2000 with 14 self-contained units and 49 en-suite rooms.