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The Journal
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Homelessness figures hit record of 15,915 people in emergency accommodation
LAST UPDATE | 53 mins ago THE NUMBER OF people in the State officially recognised as homeless stands at 15,915 according to the latest figures. A total of 15,747 people were living in emergency accommodation in May, meaning there has been an increase of 168 recorded as homeless. Today's overall figure includes 4,958 children – an increase of 114 on last month's figures. The statistics do not include people rough sleeping, refugees, asylum seekers, individuals in domestic violence shelters, or those experiencing 'hidden homelessness', such as sleeping in cars, on couches, or other unsuitable living conditions. The figures are taken from the week of 23-29 in June. Of the adults accessing emergency accommodation, 7,755 were in Co Dublin. Some 660 adults were in Cork, 510 were in Limerick, and 238 were in Galway. Meanwhile, there were 3,666 children living in emergency accommodation in Dublin. Nationwide, 2,320 families are in emergency accommodation. 'Shameful milestone' Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne described today's figures as a 'shameful milestone' and he said it shows how the 'government continues to deprioritise homelessness'. Advertisement 'This is what happens when you do not protect vulnerable renters, or prevent them from becoming homeless,' said Hearne. 'These numbers are real families and real children experiencing serious trauma day in and day out – their plight cannot be ignored any longer.' Meanwhile, Sinn Féin's housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin remarked that the 'government failure is normalising homelessness'. 'There has been no emergency response to the ever-deepening homelessness crisis. Instead, there is just empty words and cruel inaction,' he added. Ó Broin called for an 'emergency ban on evictions' and an 'emergency supply of social homes to get people out of homeless accommodation'. Elsewhere, the Simon Communities Of Ireland noted a 'concerning trends is the sharp rise in homelessness among older people'. Some 249 adults over the age of 65 are in emergency accommodation – this is a 104% increase when compared to 2020, when 122 people in the age cohort were homeless. Ber Grogan, Executive Director of the Simon Communities of Ireland, said 'more older people are now left without an affordable, appropriate, secure place to call home'. He also noted the increase in 'children being forced to experience the trauma of homelessness over the last number of years'. 'These are two of the most vulnerable groups in society,' said Grogan. 'The Government must show they care,' he added. 'This crisis demands an age-appropriate, compassionate response.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Extra.ie
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
TD accused of ‘fuelling racism' after claiming Irish people could become a minority
Independent Ireland TD Richard O'Donoghue has been accused of 'fuelling racism' after claiming that Irish people could become a minority in Ireland. Mr O'Donoghue, a Limerick County TD, was speaking about who the party wanted to back for the presidency when he made his remarks. He said Independent Ireland wanted to support a candidate for the election who 'supports our culture in this country, that it's not obliterated'. Mr O'Donoghue said: 'We welcome other cultures here, and we do that 100%, but we also want to make sure Irish culture is recognised and set in stone for the future. 'Once they want to protect our culture in this country and all the other cultures that come in here and enhance that, 100% I'm behind them.' Asked what he meant by 'protect our culture', he said: 'When you come to this country here, you also have to respect our own cultures that we have in our country ourselves. Independent Ireland TD Richard O'Donoghue has been accused of 'fuelling racism' after claiming that Irish people could become a minority in Ireland. Pic: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos 'And respect our religion if you have a religion. And if you have none, that's fine too, but you have to work with those people. But if there are cultures in this country, I want those protected the same way as we recognise other people's cultures when we go to their country.' He went on to claim that as a result of Ireland's rising population: 'Irish people here could end up being a minority in years to come. So that's why I want our culture protected.' Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne said the comments were 'dangerous' and could 'fuel racism'. He said: 'We're seeing the real rise of the far right, the sowing of division in communities, and particularly around the housing issue. Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne said the comments were 'dangerous' and could 'fuel racism'. Pic: Stephen Collins / Collins Photos 'These comments have very real impacts in communities, and particularly on new communities and people of colour. We're seeing a rise in racist graffiti. We're seeing a rise in attacks, and it's deeply worrying the social division that this is spreading. And the reality is it's just not true.' People Before Profit Solidarity TD Paul Murphy said Mr O'Donoghue's comment about Irish people becoming a minority was a 'dog whistle'. However, Mr O'Donoghue appeared to double down on his comments when contacted by He denied that his comments could fuel racism. He said: 'If the Social Democrat TD Rory Hearne had listened to the full comments of what I said. I welcome all cultures into this country. What I was looking for was the protection of the Irish culture that is here [already], that if you look at it at the moment, the Irish births in this country are back by 15% but our population is rising. 'That means that there's a lot of nationalities coming into this country. Which I don't have a problem with. What I do have a problem with is that I want to make sure that Ireland has always been seen as a great nation and a great cultural nation, for welcoming people into this country. 'That's not being racist, that's just being factual. 'I welcome people into this country no matter what religion you are, if you're coming in to make Ireland a better place. But what I would like to do is I want to try and protect the Irish culture that we are known for, and our Irish heritage, regardless of what religion you hold. 'That is what I have asked to do. And with the trajectories, the way it's shown at the moment is. 'Going by the facts and figures that are in front of us, Irish childbirths are back 15%, but our population is rising at an alarming rate. 'That is not racist. That is just factual.'
Irish Times
08-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Legal proceedings initiated against Department of Housing after pulling out of PPP deal in ‘11th hour'
Legal proceedings have been initiated against the Department of Housing after it pulled out of a public-private partnership (PPP) agreement at the 'eleventh hour' over value for money concerns, an Oireachtas committee has heard. Last month, the department pulled out of the PPP projects in which a private investment consortium was to deliver almost 500 social homes in Dublin, Kildare, Sligo and Wicklow. The decision was made on a 'value for money basis,' according to the department. Minister for Housing James Browne initially told committee members on Tuesday he was not aware of any legal proceedings. However, he was later informed by department officials that a judicial review had been lodged. Social Democrats housing spokesman Rory Hearne, who initially asked the Minister whether the preferred bidder for the PPP projects had initiated legal proceedings, said it was 'jaw-dropping' that Mr Browne was unaware. READ MORE While believing PPP 'has a role to play', Mr Browne, who would not speak further on the legal proceedings, said it must be 'completely overhauled and re-examined'. 'It is an important route to be able to get homes that we need in the country but it has to be done in a manner that is fair to the taxpayer as well as giving value for money for the taxpayer,' he said. Labour TD Conor Sheehan said the cancellation of the PPP projects at the 'eleventh hour' has made the delivery route 'essentially unviable.' Separately, Mr Browne told committee members that it will be 'exceptionally difficult' to meet housing targets in 2025. Mr Browne said that while there was a significant increase in commencement notices last year, there was a sense that developers 'turned their attention to further commencements as opposed to finalising the projects they were working on at that time.' Some 60,000 commencement notices were lodged last year, an increase of 84 per cent from the year prior. This was driven largely by temporary development levies introduced to stimulate housing construction. Mr Browne said there has been a consistent level of housing delivery predictions this year from different bodies 'in and around the low 30,000s mark'. 'When you see that level of consistency, it's difficult to disagree with. Certainly, it will be exceptionally difficult to meet our own target that was set out for this year coming from such a low base,' he said. Several committee members also raised concerns over new design standards for apartments , with Sinn Féin housing spokesman Eoin Ó Broin saying they will allow for 'smaller, darker apartments with less amenities in sub-optimally planned residential developments'. Several questioned how the changes would result in cost reductions of between €50,000 and €100,000 per unit, a claim made by Mr Browne earlier on Tuesday, with Mr Ó'Broin saying he did not believe such a reduction was possible. Mr Browne said the cost reductions will be made possible by the 'significant increase' in the number of units that can be 'put on to the one box unit.' The Minister said he would publish data concerning the projected cost reductions 'in the near future.'
Extra.ie
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
TD accuses the Government of ‘sabotaging' its housing policy
Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne has accused the Government of sabotaging its own housing strategy after 500 social homes were found to cost close to €1million each. A further 2,500 homes have been delayed until concerns about value for money are resolved. Responding to the rising furore at the weekend, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the cost of the almost 3,000 social homes which were to be delivered, and have now been delayed, were so high that if they had gone ahead, the Minister for Housing would have been 'up before the Public Accounts Committee'. Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne has accused the Government of sabotaging its own housing strategy. Pic: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos Mr Hearne, the Social Democrats' housing spokesman, said that as the Government talks of an 'emergency', its 'actions, cutting key housing projects, suspending funding and gutting homelessness prevention schemes, tell a very different story'. Mr Hearne said the Government had already lost €8million on developing the projects. He called on Minister James Browne to explain, saying: 'How the hell were social housing projects that were about to start on site pulled at the last minute? Minister Browne said: 'I am determined to deliver these homes, and we are assessing the quickest way to do this while ensuring value for taxpayers' money.' Pic: Sam Boal/Collins Photo 'It is beyond comprehension. We talk about incompetence; this has gone from incompetence to sabotage.' Minister Browne said: 'I am determined to deliver these homes, and we are assessing the quickest way to do this while ensuring value for taxpayers' money.'
BreakingNews.ie
24-06-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Government's housing initiatives are failing children, says ombudsman
The Government's housing initiatives continuously fail children and do not even consider them, the Ombudsman for Children has said. Dr Niall Muldoon told the Oireachtas Committee on Housing that families and children are 'sinking' in homelessness, despite Ireland being the third richest country in the world. Advertisement He told the committee that children being forced to live in emergency accommodation will affect every aspect of their lives, from development, education and self-worth. Dr Muldoon has called on the Government to bring in specific measures to address child and family homelessness. The committee was told that the State has been aware of family homelessness since 2015. 'We said we need to focus on families and children. We feel that has not been taken on board,' Dr Muldoon. Advertisement He said that focus has been placed on investment in private properties and landlords but that 'we don't hear about children suffering at hands of the crisis'. 'There was talk of bringing in a constitutional right to housing – that didn't happen. There is a consistent failure to bring children into the discussion (about homelessness),' he added. Rory Hearne said that children are invisible in homelessness. Photo: Niall Carson/PA 'Children are seen as an add-on. 'Children have rights to housing and shelter and when they don't have it, it is devastating. Every initiative seems to fail and not even consider children. That is our exasperation.' Advertisement As of February, there were 4,653 children experiencing homelessness. This represented a significant increase, with 483 more children experiencing homelessness compared to February last year. Mary Hayes, director of the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive, said homelessness in Dublin is 'relentless'. Ms Hayes told the committee there is 'an acute need' for large accommodation to meet the needs of families in the capital. Advertisement 'We are concerned about the drivers of homelessness, we have to respond and react to them,' she added. 'There has been a relentless increase in homelessness and we cannot keep pace of housing supply. 'I have some hope for the private rental to address security of tenure. I think there should be things to support people better with rent arrears. I do not want to give up.' Dr Muldoon said that children living in emergency accommodation are facing an 'abnormal childhood'. Advertisement He also warned of the dangers of normalising child homelessness. 'The normalisation for the child will make them think, this is all I deserve, no one is coming to help me. That will effect them for their entire life. 'There are solutions that should have been put in place a long time ago. 'It's about trying to create a world where we say you are worth us changing this.' Tricia Keilthy, head of policy at the Ombudsman for Children's Office, said there should be an emphasis on ensuring prevention is funded properly. Ms Keilthy also called for a full incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. 'That is the radical change we need,' she added. Social Democrats TD and spokesman for housing, Rory Hearne, said that children are invisible in homelessness. He also queried whether there would be a future redress scheme for child homelessness as the state is failing to protect them. Ireland Homeless figures hit 'shocking' all-time high of m... Read More Nuala Ward, from the Ombudsman for Children's Office, said: 'We hear about children sitting in bathrooms while their mammies put their younger siblings to bed. 'We have heard from children, that shame does not leave you and that is what we are doing to children. 'Should there be a redress scheme? Can you give children back their childhoods? No, you can't.'
