Dublin councils are to look at buying or building homeless hostels
“We have an over-reliance on the private sector, it is expensive, it is poor value for money,” says Mary Hayes, director of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive.
“I don't know how many times we have to ask to be included.”
Many of the social housing projects paused recently were on vacant sites but this one is different, says a local councillor.
The barriers “block migratory fish species from accessing most of the river and degrade/impound the habitat they need to complete their life cycles”.
Over the years, the idea’s got support from councillors, TDs, the Minister for Transport – but there’s still no simple, official way to do it in Dublin city.
“Homes not Hazards” is set for Tailors’ Hall in the Liberties on 28 June.
“The area does get quieter in the evening. But we hope the new place will draw people,” says Florencia Pugliese.
In 2017, the council issued 1,001 fines for littering. In 2022, the number was 443. So far this year? Well under 100.
Analysis found that issues clustered in the city centre, around tram tracks, roundabouts, blocked cycle lanes, close passes, left-turns, and heavy vehicles.
Whatever temporary measures are put in place, nothing is ever going to do the job like a big solid concrete wall, says Maynooth University’s Peter Thorne.
They recite schemes that were promised, or piloted, but seem to have gone nowhere. A council spokesperson said similar initiatives still exist.
But they appear to lack the necessary power, and are likely moving too late. Manna hopes to start delivering toasties and tacos in the city “by late this summer”.
“Private interests are still in control of vast tracts of what should be publicly controlled land, publicly run in the interest of the people.”