The concerns come after a series of Freedom of Information requests submitted by Belfast Live.
Questions continue to be raised over how the homeless in Belfast will be supported during this summer’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann after Belfast City Council confirmed it has not commissioned any additional emergency accommodation for the event.
The issue has been highlighted by independent councillor Paul McCusker, who has called for assurances that vulnerable people will not be “disadvantaged or left without access to the assistance they need” when thousands of visitors descend on the city next month.
The concerns also come after a series of Freedom of Information requests submitted by Belfast Live.
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive said it did not hold information relating to planning for homelessness during the Fleadh and advised that enquiries should instead be directed to Belfast City Council.
In response to a separate FOI request, Belfast City Council initially extended the deadline for responding, stating that it was considering whether to withhold information under commercial interests exemptions.
However, in its final response, the council instead relied on an exemption relating to information provided in confidence to withhold minutes from meetings discussing the event.
The council’s handling of the request was challenged through an internal review, arguing the change in exemptions was procedurally flawed and that the public interest favoured releasing the minutes, at least in a redacted form.
The review ultimately upheld the council’s decision to withhold the meeting records, with the City Solicitor concluding the information had been provided by partner organisations and concerned commercially sensitive planning for the Fleadh.
However, the council accepted that it should have provided further explanation in relation to other parts of the request.
It confirmed there will be no specific Fleadh strategy for Safer Neighbourhood Officers, saying officers will instead extend their working hours from 8 am until 10 pm throughout the festival while continuing their normal duties.
The council also said there are no specific standard operating procedures or strategy documents for its Complex Lives Team for the event. Instead, a meeting was held in May to inform homelessness and support services about road closures and access arrangements so they could plan accordingly.
On emergency accommodation, the council said: “There has been no funding applied for or additional bed space commissioned by Belfast City Council.”
It added that it had informed the Housing Executive about the Fleadh and its potential impact and would continue liaising with the organisation “to ensure we have safe, inclusive and compassionate Fleadh 2026”.
The council also said it held no correspondence or briefing notes regarding the “clearing” or relocation of rough sleepers from areas being used for performances or pedestrianised event spaces.
Independent councillor Paul McCusker, who works within the homelessness sector, has written to the chief executives of both Belfast City Council and the Housing Executive seeking further clarification.
He said: “The Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Belfast, celebrate Irish culture and bring visitors into our city. However, it is vital that we also consider how the event will impact those who are vulnerable or experiencing homelessness.
“With restrictions and operational changes expected across the city centre, we need to ensure that people who depend on support services are not disadvantaged or left without access to the assistance they need.
“I have asked for clarification on whether additional emergency accommodation or bed spaces will be made available during the festival and what measures are being put in place to support vulnerable people throughout the event.
“As we welcome thousands of visitors to Belfast, we must also ensure that those who are most in need are treated with dignity and supported appropriately.”
Paul McCusker said that following a briefing on the event, there remained “no clarity” on how homelessness services would operate during the Fleadh or whether additional emergency accommodation would be available.
He added: “The lack of planning will displace our most vulnerable, and this is unacceptable.”
The Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is expected to bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to Belfast between 2nd and 9th August, making it one of the largest cultural events ever hosted by the city.
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