The issue came to the fore recently with both Cork Penny Dinners and Cork Sexual Violence expressing concern about the number of sexual assaults on homeless people in Cork.
In a meeting held with a number of key stakeholders in Cork the Taoiseach confirmed the roll out of a pilot scheme which will provide support and protection to homeless victims of rape and sexual violence Leeside.
Speaking to RedFM News earlier this year, Margo Noonan of the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit at the South Infirmary confirmed they are working with homeless services as they are seeing homeless people presenting at the clinic after being sexually assaulted:
"Unfortunately we are, they're extremely vulnerable, and there are a cohort of people out there who don't give them what they need, or give them the respect and the care that they need, and they are by virtue of where they live and and what they have. It's very difficult so we do see them. They do come. Simon, are fantastic for, you know, supporting their clients and bringing them to us and working with us, so we have a good relationship there."
