Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
ARMY BARRACKS ARE not considered for use to provide shelter for the homeless in many cases because they are in a “very poor state of repair” according to Minister for Defence Paul Kehoe.
Kehoe was responding last month to a parliamentary question from Dublin Fingal TD Clare Daly.
His comments came a day before a record number of rough sleepers on the streets of Dublin were reported by the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE).
The Wexford TD told Daly that his department was committed to “providing whatever assistance possible” to support the government’s overall strategy at tackling the problem of homelessness.
He said that his department was engaging with local authorities in relation to the handing over of property “that is no longer required for military purposes or housing”.
Kehoe said that, since 2014, part of St Bricin’s military installation had been made available to Dublin City Council to be used as emergency accommodation.
This area provides space for 27 beds.
However, there are a number of issues with using unused barracks en masse as emergency accommodation.
Kehoe said: “It should be noted that particular issues arise in relation to providing accommodation to civilians within an operational military barracks, foremost amongst them being security.
Furthermore, many vacant former housing units on barracks premises are in very poor state of repair. Their condition is inconsistent with the standard that would be required for living accommodation and a significant investment in both cost and time would be required in order to make them habitable and compliant with current health and safety legislation.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Yes, unsuitable for the homeless but perfectly acceptable for serving members. Why isn’t this being highlighted…
@Marcus Dowling: they are referring to UNUSED army barracks,
@Tedser: So army with help from homeless do them up? Put all drug addicts in one barracks with free supply from confiscated drugs. Put all drunks in another with free supply of alcohol from cheap drink companies. Anyone who wants to make a difference to there life ask for help and is given little tests with each step they do give more help.
Many homeless have mental health issues and are not taking the meds they need to function?
‘Help the homeless’ is useless be specific say what help is needed for each person. Break the problem down so people can help with smaller problems that we can cope with. If Mary needs a kettle I would happily give her a reusable kettle. Kids needs coats I would happily look round Charity shops for the right size.
@Gillian Weir Scully: you’re not well
@Gillian Weir Scully: wrote to Simon Coveney then minister for defence re same in 2014 .. just usual long finger letter back.. breaks ur head dealing with them on any aspect with an ounce of logic.
@Martin Critten: What about security, at the Barracks and the Soldiers there. It’s not a good idea, unless the whole barracks is no longer in use and the idea has to be a politicians one or it won’t be considered.
@Gillian Weir Scully: you’d be put in the crack addict wing of the barracks. You’ve obviously got a problem. Put down the pipe Gillian, put it down!
@Gillian Weir Scully: so help them kill themselves at our expense? Hmmmm.
@Gillian Weir Scully: your ideas are always a little ridiculous. The homeless helping the Army to do them up. The Army are trained to look menacing, fire large shells in the Curragh and to fill in sandbags and Army deafness claims. No mention of plastering, electrics, painting, etc. They are not general handymen. The homeless, who you plan to fill with free booze and drugs, are not going to be of much help either especially when they are off their faces on prohibited substances.
@jagmerc: Really? Help a ghost with no name or photo made a comment but not a very helpful one.
@John O’Shea: Besides having a go at me what would you suggest?
@Sean: Correct my ideas are nearly totally ridiculous but something does need to be done to help and sometimes from the ridiculous comes a grain of sense.
@Martin Critten: Keep going and ask for help along the way at least you are trying.
@Stephen murphy: I took it was the whole barracks was unused?
@Deborah Behan: Sadly it is already happening. The cost for every addict is very high if you take everything into account. I know you don’t need me to list everything.
@Martin Critten: logic…I haven’t hear that word in a while. I don’t think leaders anywhere in the world understand it. No more than they understand common sense. We evolve, if that’s the word, stupidly.
@Tedser: which unused barracks are these? There’s only two barracks left in Dublin: Cathal Brugha & McKee. Both of them are occupied & busy places. If there’s any spare space in them, it’s because the space isn’t currently fit to be used.
@Gillian Weir Scully: Gillian what is a homeless person to you? A junkies? Somebody who was raised in care and developed a drug/drink problem? An average working class citizen who was delt a bad hand in life? Or a sponge?
Why don’t they just go to the beds already available for them each night?
Oh wait I’ll tell you why.. because they want to inject heroin.
@Liam: yeah 3000 children on the smack.
@Eyepopper: this article is about rough sleepers, not career homeless with kids.
@Gulliver Foyle: The only kids I’ve seen on the street here are career begger Travellers who bring them out to arouse sympathy in people. They should be taken off them.
@Eyepopper: Single mothers living it up in hotels waiting for the taxpayer to build/buy them a nice new house shouldn’t be classed as homeless
@Liam: At least have a look at homeless stats. You’ll find the 25% are under 4 years of age. The ‘places’ provided by the government for what the government calls rough sleepers are not beds. They are mats on the floor yet the government exaggerated the numbers of mats by 30%. They are not providing enough mats on the floor for the homeless which means that on Stephens night 90 people were sleeping on the streets in Dublin. Even drug addicts deserve a bed.
@Catcherys: Yes, drug addicts deserve a bed in prison
Dear Liam hahaaa don’t be so low get yourself a coffee and be good ;) .
My English is okay I don’t have problem with it, and if it’s there any mistake I’m learning everyday about everything in my life specially to cope with haters like you.
Furthermore, I speak 5 language so it’s okay if my English it’s not perfect ;) .
Sending you lots of love muuuuaaah
@Francisca Ferrera: Lo siento mi amor.. xx
@Francisca Ferrera: Better not to feed the troll by replying to his rubbish.
@Francisca Ferrera: Ignoring the row you are having with Liam.
What if all charities got together and had a list of what each person might need like a wedding gift list. It may not be new but clean and better. Anyone asking for a TV or new bed goes to bottom of list!
@Liam: the only bit of a affection you got from a girl?
@Deborah Behan: Liam doesn’t want affection from girls, he’s going to be a 50′s style obedience and housekeeping sort of guy when he grows up.
@Ron North: Oh you know me so well. xx
Love how Clare Daly etc use their time to ask pointless questions….
@Dan Cahill: I don’t think it’s pointless. This government is doing its best to make the homeless crisis worse as far as I can see.
@Deborah Behan: you can’t see very far then
Mullingar Bks was refurbished 2 yrs b4 it was closed, the reason its in poor condition is because its not used, they shud have kept it open it wud have been cheaper in the long run because if they ever have to reopen it it’ll cost a fortune, at the moment the Courthouse in the town is being refurbished at an insane cost while the bks lies empty, altho its a listed building I believe all its history is soon going to the highest bidder, typical eh.
@Slim Browne: Dun Laoghaire built another library! Eye sore.
@Gillian Weir Scully: its not an eye sore, looks great down the east pier.
Why dont the church open up all the practically empty convents, monasteries etc they have dotted around every town in the country? Plenty of beds there!
@Eyepopper: Because the majority of those homeless are being put up in hotels, why would they move from a hotel in Dublin to a convent down the country?
I actually wrote to Simon Harris back in 2014 on the very same issue. The stock answer came back with a load of waffle about how it was not possible to use State assets this way.
@Martin Critten: *Coveney ..
But wait sir with tie I will tell you, because they are addicted! But wait you don’t know what addicted is don’t you? But wait my 5years old nephew will tell you, But wait he just said you can google it Hahaa, But wait and wait that’s all you have to do to understand that social issue and keep waiting before you make such intelligible comment, but wait yeh wait keep waiting yourself!
@Francisca Ferrera: Hablas espanol o italiano porque tú inglés es mierda?
@Liam: that’s rude man:)
@Francisca Ferrera: Oh jesus stop feeding the idiot
@Frederic Slimane: banter m8
Fg have no interest in fixing homeless
.
@Willy Malone: This year’s education budget is the highest it’s ever been. Educate people and they’ll be employable and self sufficient. That’s a long term investment into the problem is it not?
Sure hasn’t the barracks in kildare town been a refugee shelter for some time now
What about the Catholic church buildings lying idle for years i know of 3 that can accommodate thousands of people ready for habitation lets see their caring attitude when it comes to their wealth
@Pat Bateman: Yes, Pat even though a lagging outcome, but absolutely the most effective.
I believe that’s the right path anyway.
have your say