It has issued a tender for a feasibility study. The documents include few details, but they do confirm the likely future uses for the historic building.
The report lays out serious problems with how councils handle claims from people without Irish citizenship, and Travellers, that stops them from accessing shelter even when they are entitled to it.
Finding providers of homeless accommodation is complex, says a council spokesperson. It’s looking for a consultant to advise on how to source it in line with procurement rules.
Talk of publishing inspection reports has been welcomed by those working in the sector, but using a private company to do the inspections has also raised questions.
“It is Victorian-era legislation,” says Mike Allen, director of advocacy at Focus Ireland. “This approach is rooted in poor law provisions and is widespread in homeless services across the world.”
Misinformation from council officials, and responses to queries that are less than true, are stopping councillors from carrying out their duties and advocating for vulnerable people, says independent Councillor Anthony Flynn.
Emails and a recorded phone call between DRHE staff and Louisa Santoro of the Mendicity Institution show how homeless people can be turned away by the council, even on nights where there are tens of spare beds.
“These people are caught in a catch-22 situation and they are going to be on the streets the whole winter and for the whole of lockdown,” says Anthony Flynn, CEO of Inner City Helping Homeless.
Since lockdown, anyone who is newly homeless has struggled to be recognised as such, says Louisa Santoro, CEO of the Mendicity Institution, while those from outside of Dublin have been locked out of the system.
The council can give a higher rate of the rent subsidy HAP to home-hunters at risk of homelessness. But have they tightened the rules around who qualifies?
