Commenting, National Spokesperson for the Simon Community Wayne Stanley said ‘We note the legislative difficulties that the Minister has outlined. However, the 11th hour and seemingly piecemeal nature of the decision has been cruel for those individuals and families at risk of homelessness. The lifting of the moratoria has to be contingent on the government putting in place an array of preventative supports to keep as many individuals and families out of homelessness as is possible.’
Stanley continued ‘Minister O’Brien can lead the way by driving the rollout of an all of government preventative response. Before we pull away these protections, we have to put in place the preventative measures needed to ensure that already vulnerable households are not pushed into homelessness once the moratoria are lifted. Putting adequate preventative measure in place will take time and the government should ensure that the moratoria are in place until that work is done.’
ENDS
For media queries and interview requests
Wayne Stanley
Tel: 087 799 3860
E: communications@simoncommunity.com
About Simon Communities
The Simon Communities support over 16,700 men, women and children. We have 50 years of experience providing homeless, housing and treatment services to people facing the trauma and stress of homelessness. We are a network of independent Communities based in Cork, Dublin, Dundalk, Galway, the Midlands, the Mid West, the North West and the South East, responding to local needs and supported by a National Office in the areas of policy, research, communications and best practice. We share common values and ethos in tackling homelessness and, informed by our grassroots services, we campaign for more effective policies and legislation regionally, nationally and at European level. Whatever the issue, Simon’s door is always open for as long as we are needed. For more information, please visit www.simon.ie.
Services include:
- Homelessness prevention, tenancy sustainment and resettlement.
- Street outreach, emergency accommodation and harm reduction.
- Housing with support and Housing First services.
- Homeless specific health and wellbeing services (counselling; addiction treatment and recovery; and mental health supports).
- Personal development, education, training and employment services.
- Food banks, drop-in centres and soup runs.
