Focus and SVP call for more action to tackle youth homelessness

national | miscellaneous | press release

Thursday November 20, 2003 13:14

by Roughan Mac Namara - Focus Ireland

rmcnamara at focusireland dot ie

MINISTER BRIAN LENIHAN OPENS EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION PROJECT TARGETING YOUNG HOMELESS PEOPLE WITH ADDICTION PROBLEMS SLEEPING ROUGH IN DUBLIN CITY CENTRE

· Focus Ireland and Society of St. Vincent de Paul call for greater Government commitment “across all departments” to tackle homelessness as over 100 young people are homeless in Dublin each night

Minister for Children Mr. Brian Lenihan TD today (Thur 20th Nov. 2003) officially opened the Caretakers project located in Dublin City Centre which provides emergency accommodation for young people aged 16-21 sleeping rough with addiction problems. The project is a partnership initiative between Focus Ireland and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and is supported by the Department of Health and Children, the Eastern Regional Health Authority, and the Dublin City Council. Focus Ireland and the SVP marked the occasion by calling for greater commitment across all Government departments to tackle homelessness at all levels. The two agencies acknowledged the work by Minister Lenihan’s own department in tackling youth homelessness but stressed they were alarmed at changes to the Rent Allowance system by Minister Coughlan which could force thousands more vulnerable people nationwide into homelessness by removing the safety net of private rented accommodation.

Both agencies went on to commend the great co-operation by all the various bodies involved to make sure the Caretakers project became a reality. The project provides vital accommodation for a highly marginalized group in society who are often stuck in a vicious circle of substance abuse, petty crime and homelessness. Focus Ireland Chief Executive Declan Jones said: “When you’re stuck in a cycle like this it’s impossible to break out of homelessness or deal with addiction problems. The fact that since this project first opened in May it has provided accommodation for 35 young people for periods ranging from one night to over a month shows this service is vital. But there are 140 young people independently homeless in Dublin each night (Source: Counted In 2002) and many of them need a service like this to give them a chance. Further investment in services like this is essential along with more preventative measures to help people avoid homelessness.”

The project gives homeless young people somewhere they can escape from life on the streets and put their head down for the night after getting a meal and a wash. Specially trained staff help them link in with relevant services such as psychological/psychiatric and drug treatment services which is often impossible for them to do when they are living a chaotic life sleeping on the streets. No drug taking is allowed on the premises but the service does provide a place to stay for many people who are barred from other accommodation because of drug use – current or previous. Mr. Larry Tuomey of the SVP added: “If these young people are just ignored and left on the streets their problems quickly get worse and it is no solution. Services like the Caretakers are vital as it gives them a chance of recovery.”

Meanwhile, Life President of Focus Ireland Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy called on Ireland to “lead by example in social as well as economic policy” when the country takes on the Presidency of Europe in January. Sr. Stan said Ireland can achieve this by ensuring urgent action is taken to tackle the root causes of homelessness. She warned: “In the past year we have see a regressive approach taken towards troubled young people. The “lock them up” attitude of the Department of Justice smacks of a “19th Century mentality” and acts to undermine important progressive initiatives like the Caretakers.” She added: “There’s absolutely nowhere for the courts to send 14-15-yearolds who are in trouble except back out on the streets as the Department of Justice is continuously failing to provide suitable services and is only offering regressive proposals such as new prisons and detention centres at a cost of millions. She concluded: “The closure of Shangannagh – the only rehabilitation prison for young people – in this economic climate is a total disgrace. It seems the good work being done by one department is been undone by another one. This shows there’s a real need for this Government to guarantee a continuum of care and help prevent these young people becoming locking into a lifetime of homelessness and addiction problems.”

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Focus and SVP call for more action to tackle youth homelessness