12 November 2022
By Mary Bermingham
mary@TheCork.ie
The €7.54 million redevelopment of Edel House, Good Shepherd Cork’s emergency shelter for women and children, was officially opened today by the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin T.D.
Edel House first opened its doors in 1972 and currently provides emergency accommodation for up to 13 families and 20 single women who are homeless. The team at Edel House offers a range of practical, emotional and therapeutic supports for women as they regain independence, through social care staff, a making change (informal education) coordinator, a dual diagnosis support worker, a child and youth worker and nursing and counselling supports.
Located at Grattan Street, Cork, Edel House recently underwent an extensive refurbishment and expansion project. The new facility provides residents with a bespoke environment, including ensuite single rooms and one and two bedroom family units. The new facility also provides for therapeutic, educational and other appropriate spaces.
Funding of €7.54 million was provided for the project by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage, through Cork City Council. The first phase of the redevelopment project involved the construction of the new adjoining building, which was completed in April 2021. Phase two of the project included the refurbishment of the existing building which was completed in May of this year.
The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin T.D., said“I am delighted to officially open the redeveloped Edel House today. It represents a €7.5m investment by the government in modern facilities for a vital service. Good Shepherd Cork has been providing services over the past 50 years to vulnerable women, children and families in Cork. Edel House, along with GSC’s other services, play an important role in Cork City. I want to applaud the collaboration over the past few years between Good Shepherd and the statutory agencies, the City Council, and other bodies in the sector to seek to broaden and deepen the services that are provided to the most vulnerable in the City. I am delighted to be here today at this significant milestone for the service, to recognise the important and difficult work that is done by everyone in this building, including the staff and those in emergency accommodation here.”
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Deirdre Forde, said “As Lord Mayor of Cork, I am very pleased to be attending the official opening of the redevelopment and extension of Edel House. Since its establishment in 1981, Good Shepherd Cork has supported women, children and families who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness. The organisation addresses the root causes of homelessness and exclusion and has provided an essential service to some of the most vulnerable citizens of our city for over 50 years. I wish the management and staff of Good Shepherd Cork the very best as they embark on the next chapter of their dedicated service to the people of Cork.”
Allison Aldred, CEO, Good Shepherd Cork, said “This year we are marking the 50th anniversary of the opening of Edel House. In the current homelessness crisis, there can be no more fitting way to mark our 50th year than by opening this considerably expanded and re-developed emergency shelter where we are delighted to be able to provide modern, dignified accommodation and a wide range of supports to women and children who are homeless. We are extremely grateful to our funders for the resources to expand the scale and scope of our services and to our dedicated staff for their commitment to our work. We are also hugely respectful of the courage and determination of the many women and children who have stayed in Edel House over the past 50 years, and those living with us today, as they move on from the traumas of homelessness.”
