The Galway Simon Community's annual review has revealed that eight people who used its services in the city met with an untimely death in 2006. The average age of those who passed away was just 42.

The Simon Communities of Ireland are calling for intervention to prevent the high mortality rates among people who are homeless.

The body says it is now vital that comprehensive healthcare services are introduced for people who experience homelessness, in order to meet the target of ending homelessness by 2010.

Speaking at the launch of Simon's Annual Review yesterday, Tuesday, 11 December the organisation's Chief Executive, Patrick Burke, explained how people who are homeless experience complex health problems ranging from a physical complaint to addiction or mental illness but, treatment is difficult to access because many don't have a medical card, and they simply cannot afford to pay for a GP consultation.

"On becoming homeless, people initially experience physical health problems. After a sustained period of homelessness, mental health problems affect many. The extent and range of these health problems requires a multi-disciplinary approach, which is outside the scope of a regular GP. This is why we are advocating for the establishment of specialist health teams for people who are homeless in key locations throughout the country," he said.

At the launch of the report, Simon also referred to the recent budget and said that while the budget mentioned homelessness, it was still unclear what new provisions or additional spend ? if any ? is being made to address the problem.

He welcomed the announcement that 9,000 social houses would be acquired and delivered in 2008, but noted in Simon's experience, those who are homeless tend to be last in the pecking order when it comes to the allocation of these homes.

He said there is now a unique opportunity to invest in social housing and specific move-on housing units for homeless people. "Simon is of the view that, in light of falling construction costs and slow-down in the industry, the Government and local authorities should take advantage of the environment to frontload housing targets by accelerating its building programme. Not only would this approach maintain jobs in construction, but it would be an important measure in meeting the target of ending homelessness by 2010," he said.

Concluding Mr Burke added that funding, as well as strict controls, need to be put in place to address the remaining gaps in homeless accommodation and services as well as reforms to the welfare system to ensure that when a person moves out of homelessness they have the means to meet rent payments.

This sentiment was echoed by Martin O'Connor of COPE, the Galway homeless charity, who said it was crucial to make provision for more targeted health services which were appropriate and accessible while also making provision for additional housing.

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