12/06/2017
Housing Minister To Break Key Action Plan Commitment
Sinn Féin has warned that the Minister for Housing, Simon Coveney, looks set to break a key action plan commitment that pledged to end the use of emergency hotel accommodation for homeless families.
According to the party's housing spokesperson, Eoin Ó Broin, page 13 of the Minister's Action Plan states that: "By mid-2017, emergency hotel and B&B type accommodation for families will only be used in limited circumstances and will have been largely replaced by suitable permanent family accommodation by delivering additional housing solutions including through an expanded Rapid-Build Housing Programme."
Deputy Ó Broin said: "It is now clear that Minister Coveney looks unlikely to meet his own deadline that sought to ensure that all homeless families would be out of hotel accommodation by July 1st.
"Just over two weeks out from this deadline and we still do not know where and when the 695 families currently living in hotel rooms are going to be housed.
"Instead of investing more money in finding a permanent solution to the growing problem of family homelessness by turning around vacant homes, the Minister is now scrambling to identify any building that could be used as a family hub.
"When the number of families in emergency accommodation continued to rise and the idea of developing family hubs as a solution to the lack of suitable state accommodation was first floated, I asked the Minister if there were plans by his Department to re-designate unsuitable hotels as family hubs.
"He did not answer my question on this last April and now via a drip feed of information in the media we know that some unsuitable hotels may be used as family hubs.
"I have consistently called on the Minister to publish in full his department's plans to house families in hotel accommodation. This plan should include a detailed timeline and should also include details on how this government plans to stem the flow of families into homelessness.
"With 60 new families presenting as homeless each month, the government is running to standstill on this problem.
"With the delivery of the expensive rapid build homes delayed and with the new supply of real social homes coming on stream at a frustratingly slow pace we also need to see plans that ensure that family hubs do not become permanent homes for families.
"No one should have to live in emergency accommodation for more than six months. Unfortunately, as it stands some children have spent up to two years living in unsuitable, cramped accommodation."
(MH)
According to the party's housing spokesperson, Eoin Ó Broin, page 13 of the Minister's Action Plan states that: "By mid-2017, emergency hotel and B&B type accommodation for families will only be used in limited circumstances and will have been largely replaced by suitable permanent family accommodation by delivering additional housing solutions including through an expanded Rapid-Build Housing Programme."
Deputy Ó Broin said: "It is now clear that Minister Coveney looks unlikely to meet his own deadline that sought to ensure that all homeless families would be out of hotel accommodation by July 1st.
"Just over two weeks out from this deadline and we still do not know where and when the 695 families currently living in hotel rooms are going to be housed.
"Instead of investing more money in finding a permanent solution to the growing problem of family homelessness by turning around vacant homes, the Minister is now scrambling to identify any building that could be used as a family hub.
"When the number of families in emergency accommodation continued to rise and the idea of developing family hubs as a solution to the lack of suitable state accommodation was first floated, I asked the Minister if there were plans by his Department to re-designate unsuitable hotels as family hubs.
"He did not answer my question on this last April and now via a drip feed of information in the media we know that some unsuitable hotels may be used as family hubs.
"I have consistently called on the Minister to publish in full his department's plans to house families in hotel accommodation. This plan should include a detailed timeline and should also include details on how this government plans to stem the flow of families into homelessness.
"With 60 new families presenting as homeless each month, the government is running to standstill on this problem.
"With the delivery of the expensive rapid build homes delayed and with the new supply of real social homes coming on stream at a frustratingly slow pace we also need to see plans that ensure that family hubs do not become permanent homes for families.
"No one should have to live in emergency accommodation for more than six months. Unfortunately, as it stands some children have spent up to two years living in unsuitable, cramped accommodation."
(MH)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 April 2015
Dublin Flats To Be Refurbished For Homeless Families
Up to 400 homeless families are to be housed in Dublin flats, previously marked for demolition. Dublin City Council (DCC) has announced a plan to refurbish O'Devany Gardens in north Dublin, following approval of €4.72 million in government funding.
Dublin Flats To Be Refurbished For Homeless Families
Up to 400 homeless families are to be housed in Dublin flats, previously marked for demolition. Dublin City Council (DCC) has announced a plan to refurbish O'Devany Gardens in north Dublin, following approval of €4.72 million in government funding.
10 February 2015
New Figures Show 359 Families In Emergency Accommodation
More than 350 families in Dublin were in emergency accommodation by the end of January this year, the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive has reported. The figure compares to 331 in December, the figures show. The figures also revealed that a total of 780 children were in emergency accommodation last month.
New Figures Show 359 Families In Emergency Accommodation
More than 350 families in Dublin were in emergency accommodation by the end of January this year, the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive has reported. The figure compares to 331 in December, the figures show. The figures also revealed that a total of 780 children were in emergency accommodation last month.
16 April 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.
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.
17 February 2014
Investigation Launched Into Co Offaly Man's Death
An investigation has been launched into the death of a 65-year-old man in Co Offaly. The man's body was found on Sunday at a house in Sister Senan Court, an elderly accommodation area in Edenderry. Gardaí searched the man's home after neighbours reported that they had not seen him for some time.
Investigation Launched Into Co Offaly Man's Death
An investigation has been launched into the death of a 65-year-old man in Co Offaly. The man's body was found on Sunday at a house in Sister Senan Court, an elderly accommodation area in Edenderry. Gardaí searched the man's home after neighbours reported that they had not seen him for some time.
14 January 2014
Council Votes In Favour Of Traveller Accommodation Sites
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has agreed a proposal to build Traveller accommodation sites. Sixteen Councillors voted in favour of the draft Traveller accommodation plan, which makes provisions for 11 sites across the south Dublin area. Ten Councillors voted against the proposal.
Council Votes In Favour Of Traveller Accommodation Sites
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has agreed a proposal to build Traveller accommodation sites. Sixteen Councillors voted in favour of the draft Traveller accommodation plan, which makes provisions for 11 sites across the south Dublin area. Ten Councillors voted against the proposal.