Anger as council has no plans to provide emergency hostel for the homeless
By Maurice Garvey
WINTER is coming but Independent Councillor Francis Timmons is angry that South Dublin County Council has no plans to provide an emergency hostel for the homeless in Clondalkin, reports Maurice Garvey.
Timmons says SDCC “have not responded in a positive way” to an issue he has raised since 2014.
Councillor Francis Timmons is angry that South Dublin County Council has no plans to provide an emergency hostel for the homeless in Clondalkin
In September 2016, after similar requests by Cllr Timmons, SDCC said they were in discussions with stakeholders to secure funding for an emergency hostel in Clondalkin.
However, it seems funding for the initiative failed to materialise.
Cllr Timmons said: “I am desperately disappointed. Action speaks louder than words and my concern is we will have more deaths this winter unless we have an emergency hostel in our area.
“We desperately need a single room hostel for those in crisis, whatever the situation, we must ensure no one dies on our streets this Christmas.”
In response to Cllr Timmons request at the Clondalkin area meeting, SDCC cited their use of homeless services via the Dublin Region Homeless Executive.
SDCC said they anticipate another cold weather initiative will be in place later in the year as the weather changes.
They said this “humanitarian response” provides additional beds to the existing number of beds available on a nightly basis in the Dublin region, and aims to support individuals who may not access the current range of services.
SDCC also operate outreach services and drop in day clinics from 10am to 12noon, Monday to Friday.
“I am very annoyed this reply does not state any commitment to providing an emergency hostel following my nine previously agreed motions and seven questions raised at area meetings and the development plan,” said Cllr Timmons.
“This is about life and death. We are told we are facing a very harsh winter and yet again another year passes with no commitment to providing vital local emergency accommodation.
“I commend Tus Nua and Casp for providing services to those in need, and Clondalkin Helping Homeless continues to give out sleeping bags and tents.”
