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Showing posts with label Dublin: Crucial Elements Missing From Governments Plan To House The Homeless. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dublin: Crucial Elements Missing From Governments Plan To House The Homeless. Show all posts
Tackling the Dublin housing crisis effectively will require not just better planning but also the input of qualified professionals from the communities directly affected, the housing charity Respond! has said.
A report commissioned by the organisation on the provision of adult and community education in north Dublin highlights progress made in educational attainment in areas such as Ballymun. But it says major obstacles remain, including gaps in further education that inhibit people from disadvantaged areas taking leadership roles in policy areas such as housing and community development.
The report was published yesterday to coincide with the announcement of a new BA course in housing and community studies by the charity’s educational wing Respond! College.
Dr Lorcan Byrne, education coordinator for the college, said the four-year part-time course would start this month with close to 20 students, drawn mainly from grass-roots organisations.
The report shows the percentage of the population in Ballymun with a third-level degree or higher rose from 7.3 per cent in 2006 to 11.6 per cent in 2011.
Launching the report, social justice campaigner Fr Peter McVerry welcomed the new course, which was being supported by a bursary scheme through Social Justice Ireland. Up to 10 community workers will have their fees paid under the scheme, which is being funded by an anonymous donor.
*SANTOS, Brazil, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Brazilian presidential candidate Eduardo Campos was killed in a plane crash on Wednesday, throwing the October election into disarray and causing big swings in local financial markets.
Campos' private jet crashed in bad weather as it prepared to land in the coastal city of Santos, just south of Sao Paulo, killing all seven people on board, the Sao Paulo state fire department said. Television images showed smoke billowing from the crash site in a residential area.
Campos, 49, was in third place in recent polls with the support of about 10 percent of voters. While he was not expected to win the Oct. 5 vote, he was perceived by some as the most market-friendly of the three main candidates and his death will set off an intense, if respectful, scramble for his supporters in a tightening election. news.yahoo.com/aircraft-crashes-residential-area-brazil-165029226.html
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Brazilian presidential candidate Eduardo Campos has been killed in a plane crash in the south-eastern city of Santos, television news network GloboNews said, without saying how it obtained the information.
Campos's running mate, ecologist Marina Silva was also on board the plane that crashed into a gymnasium in a residential area on Wednesday, breaking into pieces and sparking a large fire, Globo reported.
A source in the Brazilian Socialist Party had previously told Reuters news agency that Campos was on the Cessna 560XL that crashed.
Campos, 49, is a former governor of northeastern Pernambuco state, and had the support of about 10 percent of voters in recent polls.
He positioned himself as a business-friendly leftist and was a former ally of President Dilma Rousseff, who is seeking a second term.
Pascal Donohoe, Alan Kelly, Jan O'Sullivan, Alex White and Heather Humphreys have joined the Cabinet
The Taoiseach has promoted Paschal Donohoe, Alan Kelly, Jan O’Sullivan, Alex White and Heather Humphreys to the Cabinet.
Enda Kenny said Phil Hogan will be appointed EU Commissioner.
Mr Donohoe will become Minister for Transport, with Simon Coveney to take on the Defence portfolio while remaining as Minister for Agriculture.
Jan O'Sullivan will become Minister for Education, Alex White will be the new Minister for Communications, Energy and and Natural Resources, Charlie Flanagan takes over at the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Alan Kelly will become Minister for the Environment.
James Reilly moves to Children and Youth Affairs, while Leo Varadkar replaces him as Minister for Health.
Heather Humphreys will replace Jimmy Deenihan at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, Mr Rabbitte said age and chemistry had played a part in his removal from the Cabinet and he wished the Government well.
He said he was disappointed but not surprised.
He added that the country would have been worse off if Labour had not entered politics during the economic crash.
Mr Kenny said: "Each Minister will outline how she or he in their portfolio will promote jobs and better support our working families.
"In addition, the Government will shortly publish a Statement of Priorities for the remainder of our term.
"As we return to better or more 'normal' times this document outlines how we intend to give a hand to working families along with low and middle-income workers.
"We intend to make sure that recovery is felt and deeply in every city, town and village across this country."
Burton says housing is a priority
Tánaiste Joan Burton said housing would be made a priority for the remainder of the life of the Government.
She said the coalition would set in train a construction programme to triple the number of houses built to 25,000 a year by 2020.
Ms Burton said: "we will also explore creative ways of funding social housing provision, and task NAMA to maximise its potential to deliver homes for families."
The Cabinet reshuffle is, for the most part, just that - a reshuffle. But amid the familiar faces moved from one portfolio to another, a handful of politicians have made fresh space at the Cabinet table.
Below, you’ll find the new faces - many of whom have been promoted from their roles as junior ministers.
Business and Employment (super junior)
Who? Gerald Nash, Labour Constituency: Louth East Meath Previous position: TD
Gerald Nash, at 28 years old, has already served as mayor of Drogheda and a councillor for both Louth and Drogheda.
He won his seat at the top of the poll in the 2009 local elections, before winning his seat as a TD in the General Election of 2011.
He is vice-chair of the Labour Parliamentary Party and has served on three Dáil committees: Environment, Foreign Affairs, and Public Accounts.
Environment and Local Government
Who? Alan Kelly, Labour Constituency: Tipperary North Previous position: Minister of State for Public and Commuter Transport
The new deputy leader of the Labour party following the recent leadership election, Alan Kelly won his seat for the first time in the 2011 general election. Prior to that, he was an MEP for Ireland South.
At 38, Kelly has been a long-time Labour member, canvassing for the party in the 1992 election while still in school. He has served as Chair of Labour Youth and was elected to Seanad Éireann on the Agricultural panel in 2007.
Kelly has worked as an eBusiness Manager with Fáilte Ireland.
Education
Who? Jan O’Sullivan, Labour Constituency: Limerick City Previous position: Minister of State for Housing and Planning
O’Sullivan has been in Irish politics since 1993, when she began as a Senator, and has been a TD for Limerick since 1998. She only narrowly missed becoming Deputy Leader of the Labour Party in 2007, when she lost out to Joan burton by 204 votes.
O’Sullivan holds a diploma in Education from UCC, and has worked as a teacher and Montessori teacher.
She was appointed Minister of State for Trade and Development after the 2011 general election, but was moved to Housing and Planning following the resignation of Willie Penrose.
Communications
Who? Alex White, Labour Constituency: Dublin South Previous position: Minister of State for Primary Care
Alex White put himself forward for the Labour leadership following Eamon Gilmore’s recent resignation, but lost to Joan Burton by a wide margin – 22% of the vote to her 77%.
Nonetheless, he finds himself promoted during this Cabinet reshuffle to a full ministerial seat.
A former current affairs producer in RTÉ, he is also a Senior Counsel specialising in employment law. He was elected to South Dublin Co Council in 2004 and appointed to the Seanad after the 2007 general election, before his election to Dáil Éireann in 2011.
Transport
Who? Paschal Donoghue, Fine Gael Constituency: Dublin Central Previous position: Minister of State for European Affairs
Taking over the European Affairs position from Lucinda Creighton in July last year when the latter defied the party whip, Donoghue began his political career as a councillor for Cabra-Glasnevin, becoming a Senator in 2007, before winning his Dáil seat in the 2011 election.
During his career as a Senator, he was appointed Fine Gael’s spokesperson on Transport and the Marine. Before his political career, he worked as a sales and marketing director.
Arts
Who? Heather Humphreys, Fine Gael Constituency: Cavan Monaghan Previous position: TD
Heather Humphreys was elected to the Dáil in February 2011 for the constituency of Cavan Monaghan.
She was re-elected to Monaghan County council in June 2009.
She has been chairperson of the council from September 2010.
*UPDATE:
Labour TDs Jan O’Sullivan, Alex White and Alan Kelly have been appointed to Cabinet along with Fine Gael’s Paschal Donohoe and Heather Humphreys, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has told the Dáil.
In the Cabinet reshuffle, Leo Varadkar has been given the role of Minister for Health,replacing James Reilly who is the new Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
Dr Reilly replaces Charlie Flanagan, who held the post for just weeks and is now moving to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
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Pat Rabbitte, Jimmy Deenihan and Eamon Gilmore have lost their places at Cabinet, along with Ruairí Quinn who announced he would be leaving last week.
Mr Kelly, Labour’s newly-elected deputy leader, has been named Minister for Enivronment and Local Government. He replaces Fine Gael’s Phil Hogan, who Mr Kenny confirmed will become Ireland’s next European Commissioner.
Ms O’Sullivan will replace Mr Quinn as Minister for Education and Skills. Mr Donohoe is to take up Mr Varadkar’s old role in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
Mr White, who unsuccessfully contested the Labour Party leadership, is to replace Mr Rabbitte at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
Mr Deenihan has lost his role in the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and is to take up a role as a junior minister in the Department of the Taoiseach with a focus on the Diaspora. Ms Humphreys, a first time TD for Cavan-Monaghan, will take up the Arts brief.
A new super junior minister for jobs will also sit at the Cabinet table after today’s reshuffle. Labour’s Ged Nash is to fill that position.
A ‘super junior’ is a junior minister who sits at Cabinet but does not have a vote, unlike a senior minister. The position will have responsibility for the new low pay commission, as well as collective bargaining.
As part of a deal between Fine Gael and Labour, the junior Coalition partner will replace its super junior for housing with a super junior for jobs.
Fine Gael’s Richard Bruton will keep the senior position within the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation .
Simon Coveney is to take on the Defence brief in addition to his job as Minister for Agriculture.
Michael Noonan and Brendan Howlin will retain their posts at the Department of Finance and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform respectively. Ms Burton retains her role as Minister for Social Protection and Frances Fitzgerald will continue in her new post as Minister for Justice and Equality.
Mr Kenny and Ms Burton met last night to sign off on a document outlining an agreed framework for the remainder of the Government’s term of office. The talks concluded at 10.30 pm, having lasted two hours. All matters were concluded, including the allocation of ministries. New appointments to the junior ministerial ranks will not be revealed until next week.
There was broad agreement on the contents of the document earlier this week, but Fine Gael and Labour officials have been working on it line by line over the past 48 hours to iron out minor differences of interpretation.
The new Cabinet will travel today to Áras an Uachtaráin to received seals of office from President Michael D Higgins.
The first meeting of the new Cabinet will take place at the Áras. Afterwards, the Taoiseach and his Ministers will return to Leinster House to seek the approval of the Dáil for the new government.
TheJournal.ie - ‘A missed opportunity, but a step in the right direction’: charities react to government homelessness plan
Charities dealing with families on the brink of homelessness have welcomed the government’s homelessness plan, but many believe it is missing crucial elements.
Threshold, the national housing charity, has welcomed the plan to address homelessness published, but said the plan missed a crucial opportunity to reform Rent Supplement and introduce a system of rent control.
At a press briefing, Housing Minister Jan O’Sullivan had said that there will be “flexibility” in rental to rent supplements.
Bob Jordan, Chief Executive of Threshold, said that they are disappointed that the plan doesn’t overhaul the system entirely.
“We are disappointed that this plan does not provide for an overhaul of the Rent Supplement scheme or the introduction of any form of rent control.
“The plan does outline that there will be ring-fenced housing for homeless people and that additional resources will be made available to address homelessness, both of which are welcome measures.
“More worryingly, the indications from government are that there will be no increases to Rent Supplement levels in the coming months, and there is nothing substantial in this plan about Rent Supplement reform.”
Kerry Anthony CEO of Depaul Ireland, which works with people at risk of homelessness adds “the families we are working with are facing immense hardship. They have come from homes they could not to afford to keep due to escalating rental prices and have been forced into sub-standard emergency accommodation.”
Focus Ireland’s Mike Allen said that the plan was welcome, but had to deliver.
“Focus Ireland welcomes the plan but warns that it will not succeed if there is an over-emphasis on the quick fix of turning unused buildings into more emergency accommodation without ensuring urgent action to increase access to affordable housing for people who are homeless and those at risk.”
Sean Moynihan, CEO of ALONE, the charity that supports older people in need, called the move ‘a step in the right direction’, but criticised the delay in the publication of the plan.
“It’s a scandal that it had to reach this point before the government took notice. Today’s newly announced housing plan is a step in the right direction but it remains to be seen whether the government will follow through on their promises.”
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By Noel Baker and Mary Regan (Irish Examiner)
A generation of Irish children could grow up in emergency accommodation because of a new wave of families becoming homeless due to the housing crisis.
Children’s charity Barnardos yesterday claimed the current housing crisis could become a “full-blown epidemic” amid stories of families living in hotels, emergency accommodation and children having to switch schools because their families have to move areas due to rising rents.
The problem is most acute in Dublin but Barnardos said clients at its centres in Cork, Limerick, and Thurles were similarly affected, with the charity’s CEO Fergus Finlay claiming the lack of state support was contributing to the problem.
The Government will today discuss plans to deliver 2,700 housing units in the next three years through a number of measures, including bringing state properties into housing use and putting boarded-up, local authority houses back into use.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny said it was “not acceptable” that six people are becoming homeless every day. “Government has got to respond in an urgent fashion, and we will. However, it is not possible to provide instant homes overnight.”
Some of the issues raised by Barnardos yesterday were stark, from staff describing a mother living on a relative’s floor, waiting for everyone to go to sleep before she can put her three-year-old to bed, to the statistic of 25% of the families using one Barnardos service in south Co Dublin living in emergency accommodation.
The charity said children were “the hidden victims” of the growing housing crisis, with emergency accommodation sometimes so far away from where they used to live some children must travel two hours each way to school and other services.
Francis Chance, assistant director of children’s services in Barnardos, said many families already living in emergency accommodation might already be contending with issues such as long-term unemployment or mental health concerns.
But he said there was “another layer, families on the point of being made homeless,” who had none of those issues and who were on the brink due to factors such as a shortage of housing stock, possible home repossession or eviction, and diminished income. Some people in parts of west Dublin had been told their housing needs would be met “in five or 10 years time,” he said. This meant many children would be growing up in households marked by tension, with some children likely to end up in trouble or even being taken into care as a result.
Full text of speech by Taoiseach Enda Kenny
Full text of speech by Tánaiste Joan Burton
Waiting for Godot not nearly as long as waiting for Enda and Joan
Liveblog: Cabinet reshuffle
