Greg Daly
Level of homelessness in Ireland is “out of control”
Ireland’s “out of control” homelessness crisis makes commemorations around the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising seem hollow, according to leading campaigner Fr Peter McVerry SJ.
Speaking as it was revealed that there are now more than 5,000 homeless people in Ireland, Fr McVerry told The Irish Catholic “I think that makes a mockery of celebrating 100 years of independence”. He said the level of homelessness is “out of control”.
Capuchin Bro. Kevin Crowley, whose Dublin-based day centre for the homeless is experiencing unprecedented demand for basic necessities, echoed the sentiments. He said it was “a shambles to think that in 2016 we have so many homeless people, we have so many people sleeping on the street”.
Veteran campaigner Sr Stan Kennedy called on people to speak out on behalf of the homeless and demand that politicians take action.
“As we face into an election and we will also soon mark the centenary of 1916, we have a duty to speak up and call for the full range of actions required to ensure we really do cherish all children equally.
“I am afraid to say that we cannot stand over that claim while over 1,600 children and their families are homeless nationwide.” Sr Stan pointed out that the total number of people homeless in Ireland has passed 5,000 for the first time ever.
Self-congratulation
Bro. Kevin said that rather than indulging in self-congratulation about the centenary of 1916, people should instead “be highlighting the plight of the homeless”.
Referring to the centenary, Fr McVerry pointed out that “back in 1916 people lived in sometimes terrible conditions but at least they had a roof over their heads”.
He criticised the Government’s failure to address the spectacle that there are far more people becoming homeless than are being helped out of homelessness.
“Today, for the majority of Irish people, owning their own home is a dream that will be forever unrealisable. I think that makes a mockery of celebrating 100 years of independence,” Fr McVerry said.
Bro. Kevin said he believed that voters had a responsibility to make the homeless crisis an election issue.
“It’s up to every single one of us to… think seriously [about] who you’re voting for, what you’re voting for, and
what is the person you’re voting for going to do to help the unfortunate people who are in crisis”.
Depaul CEO Kerry Anthony insisted that “the Government has a moral and fiscal imperative to address this issue as a critical priority in 2016”, asserting that a century on from the Easter Rising we should “focus on ending homelessness and changing the lives of people affected by homelessness”.