A number of leading homeless organisations have put out a call for `ordinary heroes' to sign up as part of an urgent appeal for staff.
Under the umbrella of the Crisis Cover Initiative, homeless organisations including Depaul, Extern, First Housing Aid and Support Services (FHASS) and the Simon Community, have appealed for people to register as Covid-19 emergency staff.
The move is an attempt to protect essential services for the vulnerable from having to close their doors during the pandemic.
A range of skills sets and roles are required, including reception and cleaning staff, as well as specialist supports such as support workers, healthcare workers, and night staff and are positions are paid roles.
Anyone with the relevant qualifications and experience can add their name to a list of individuals who may be called on to step up where staff levels in services become depleted by personnel having to take time off.
David Carroll of Depaul said the organisation is "worried that we will be left in a position where we must close services due to too many staff having to take time off. "
Clarke Bailie, from the Housing Executive, which is supporting the initiative, said: "Ensuring we keep services running for the most vulnerable is vitally important.
"This initiative plays an important role in connecting people who can help with those that need it," he said.
Further information is available at crisiscover.ie