16/04/2015

DCC Accused Of 'Letting Down Homeless People'

Fine Gael has accused Dublin City Council of "letting down homeless people".

South Central TD, Catherine Byrne, commented following a vote by the council to block a proposed refurbishment of O'Devaney Gardens in the city for homeless accommodation.

Senator Byrne said: "I am shocked and disappointed that Dublin City councillors have voted down a proposal to house 64 homeless families in refurbished, temporary accommodation in O'Devaney Gardens.

"This was a good plan; part of a 20-point Action Plan on Homelessness that came from the Summit on Homelessness convened by Ministers Alan Kelly and Paudie Coffey late last year. The plan included an investment of €4.7 million in refurbishing vacant apartments to a very high standard accommodation suitable for families.

"I am surprised at the Lord Mayor encouraging a no vote on this given his work in the area of homelessness. The plan to refurbish O'Devaney Gardens for this purpose was never meant to be a long term solution but would have taken families out of hotel and other emergency accommodation.

"Dublin City Council already spends €3 million per year on temporary accommodation in hotels and hostels for homeless families. We have families with young children currently living in single hotel rooms, which is totally inappropriate. It would be far better to accommodate them in a flat where they have privacy, space and proper modern facilities.

"We need solutions for families who are in crisis right now and I feel that the Councillors have been very short sighted in voting against the O'Devaney Gardens proposal."

(MH/JP)

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