We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
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.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
A WHEELCHAIR USER facing homelessness within the coming days has criticised the Government for not providing support to disabled people renting in the private sector.
Michael* received an eviction notice six months ago as his landlord is selling up and since then has not been able to source new accommodation despite being in constant touch with letting agents and landlords.
The consistent response that he receives is that the properties “are not suited for a wheelchair”. Out of around 50 recent queries, just two houses were already adapted, he told Noteworthy.
Having rapidly lost his mobility – from “walking around” to requiring a wheelchair – over the past two years due to a rare genetic condition means that steps, narrow doors and a lack of downstairs facilities rapidly reduces available housing on an already squeezed market.
Michael turned to his local Westmeath County Council for support but was told: “Unfortunately, as you do not qualify for Social Housing Support on financial grounds, the council cannot provide any assistance.”
A staff member advised him to “make contact with estate agents and ask them to advise you of any suitable properties that become available” and to ask his landlord to extend the notice period.
Mark Keaveney, Director of Services responsible for Housing at Westmeath County Council told Noteworthy that the council “cannot comment on individual housing cases”.
Keavney said: “The Council is very much aware of the current difficult housing market. It is doing everything in its power to assist those qualified for social housing support.” He added that “qualification for social housing support is determined” by legislation and “in particular the Social Housing Assessment Regulations”.
Minister ‘walked away’
Back in March, Michael’s wife and full-time carer Elizabeth* turned to Minister of State for Disability Anne Rabbitte and told her: “Every accommodation we look at does not meet his needs… We need help I am worried that we our going to end up homeless.”
Rabbitte wrote to Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien in June and his response a few weeks later – seen by Noteworthy - stated that he understood “that the family have been assessed as not eligible for social housing”.
He advised that, since Michael had a connection with Dublin, they should apply for housing there “as the income threshold is higher”, signing off with “I trust this information will be of assistance”.
This did not help Michael who was also told by the relevant Dublin local authority that he was “over the limit” and there was nothing they could do.
Michael is very angry with the lack of support provided by both Ministers – in particular Minister Rabbitte who had responded: “Be assured we will give you all possible assistance.”
“Gullible me. We believed her,” he said. However, he added that instead she passed responsibility to a different Department.
She’s the Minister for Disability. I have a disability but she just wiped her hands and walked away.
When we put this to Minister Rabbitte, her spokesperson replied: “The Minister for Disability cannot comment on specific cases but, generally speaking, when correspondence is received, the Minister and her team do their utmost to seek a response as quickly as possible.”
The spokesperson said that “the vast majority of Minister Rabbitte’s €2.3 billion budget… relates to the delivery of specialist community-based disability services, which is allocated through the HSE”.
They added queries related to issues outside of the Minister’s brief are forwarded to the relevant Department, with housing queries sent to the Minister for Housing to ensure the person “receives the most comprehensive response they can”.
Noteworthy also asked Minister for Housing O’Brien if there was any support for disabled people such as Michael who fall outside the income threshold for social housing but where it is far more difficult to access suitable accommodation on the private rental market.
A spokesperson for the Department of Housing responded and said it “does not generally comment on specific individual cases”, adding that Housing for All – published last September – “committed to reviewing income eligibility for social housing”.
This review “has been completed” and “work will commence shortly, on foot of the review” which is expected to be completed by the end of 2022, “to scope and develop a new social housing income eligibility model”.
They spokesperson added “no changes are planned to the regional bands or associated income thresholds pending completion of this work”. However, five local authorities – including Westmeath – will move bands on at the start October meaning their threshold increases from €25,000 to €30,000.
Income threshold needs ‘urgent review’
There is a crisis within a crisis for disabled people who are left homeless or in unsuitable accommodation. Disabled people make up 13.5% of the population but represent 27% of the homeless population.
That is despite the right “to live in the community, with choices equal to others” being set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities which Ireland ratified in 2018.
James Cawley, policy officer at Independent Living Movement Ireland (ILMI), told Noteworthy that “the income threshold and means test needs to be reviewed urgently for social housing applications”. He added:
If the cost of disability was added to this threshold, then disabled people could participate in getting social housing.
Overall, the average annual costs of disability in Ireland ranges from €9,500 to almost €12,000, according to the Government’s Cost of Disability Research Report.
In addition, Cawley said that disabled people are often “locked out” of property ownership as well as the private renting market due to a lack of accessible properties.
This is true for Michael as even his current accommodation is not suitable. With no shower or bath on the ground floor, he has only been able to wash at the sink for the past year. Steps at his front door mean he cannot independently enter or leave the house without assistance.
He is also no longer able to work due to his disability so has a pension from his previous employer on grounds of ill health. This combined with some social welfare payments that he and Elizabeth receive mean that they fall outside the income threshold for social housing yet have been told by banks that they are not able to get a mortgage.
Related to this, a disabled woman, Samantha*, living in privately rented accommodation in Kerry recently wrote to The Journal about being terminally-ill and the impact of having an inaccessible bathroom.
Due to the rise in electricity bills, she said she can “no longer afford to check into a hotel once a week purely to shower” and was trying – unsuccessfully to date – to find somewhere such as a care facility she could rent for this purpose.
“I have accepted that I will die young. I have accepted that disability services in Ireland are essentially non-existent, but to not be able to shower and toilet in a home I pay 80% of my monthly income on is heartbreaking.”
Implementation of strategy is key
A National Housing Strategy for Disabled People was launched at the start of this year. The ILMI commented on this in a recent Government submission, stating: “This policy aims to house all disabled people but in reality is currently housing those who access social housing only. More needs to be done to support those disabled people trying to access private rented accommodation and the purchasing market.”
The strategy includes an “affordability of housing” theme. Implementing this is key, according to Cawley, with more support needed “for disabled people to access affordable housing”.
In Westmeath, director of services Keaveney said that the local authority is “working to build a pipeline to deliver affordable housing and, with its partners, cost rental properties in the county”.
Cawley said that departments, local authorities and other agencies “all should be working together so that thresholds aren’t barring people from getting a house”. This need for better interagency collaboration is referenced in the new housing strategy, he added.
The Department of Housing spokesperson said that this national strategy “will operate within the framework of Housing for All” and “sets out the vision for the cooperation and collaboration of Government Departments, state agencies and others in delivering housing and the related supports for disabled people over the next five years”.
They added that this includes “enabling access to affordable housing for disabled people in order to address the challenges disabled people experience with the private sector in terms of home ownership and private renting”.
A spokesperson for Minister Rabbitte told Noteworthy that “the new strategy places a greater emphasis on independent living and community inclusion than the previous strategy”, adding that it “seeks to facilitate disabled people to live independently with the appropriate choices and control over where, how and with whom they live”.
What happens once homeless?
Noteworthy also asked the Minister for Housing what support would local or national Government be able to offer Michael – and disabled people in his situation – if they become homeless. A spokesperson for the Department responded:
“In the unfortunate event of an individual becoming homeless, they should contact their local authority who can provide an immediate response to ensure households are provided with the accommodation and supports required.” They added:
Any household assessed as homeless may be placed into temporary emergency accommodation without the requirement to undergo a social housing assessment, allowing local authorities the flexibility that is essential to respond quickly and effectively to the various needs of cases that may arise.
In Westmeath, Michael and Elizabeth have less than a week left in their current house, but would be homeless already only for an extension from their “absolutely brilliant” landlord.
Michael said he is thankful for the “roof over our heads and food in our presses” but doesn’t know what they will do if they haven’t found a new home by Wednesday. Right now, he’s trying to be optimistic and is “not even thinking of that”.
*Names have been changed
NO ROOM Investigation
Across Ireland, over 2,800 disabled people continue to live in congregated settings and more than 1,300 people under the age of 65 are living in nursing homes.
The Noteworthy investigative team want to conduct an in-depth investigation into the housing crisis facing disabled people and meet with disabled people living in inappropriate accommodation.
Here’s how to help support this project>
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Priorities, bank debt, stability, jobs, growth and youth unemployment. Sounds catchy only problem is Gilmore has been saying that for the best part of 2 years now.
Not one red cent!!!!!!!!!!! Now its , Ah Jesus lads, any chance of knocking a few quid off the billions we borrowed off ye at high interest so we could pay yeback the unsecured bonds ye gambled and lost on.
Feed the people a lie long enough Kerry and they will start to believe it…..at least I think that’s his game.
The Labor leadership have sold their souls for a pension and have screwed the working class. FF sold out the country through the bank guarantee. These manufactured crises will succeed in establishing a Federal European Government, answerable only to the money men behind the Trilateral Commission, Council on Foreign Relations etc. The controlled media write about the X Factor and Premiership. Sickening.
“Stability, Jobs & Growth” ???
Just gets more Orwellian by the day. None of these clowns know how to achieve any of those.
Most (perhaps not quite all) of the Dail incumbents should not be there, most especially the leaders.
They are either corrupt, incompetent, uncaring or some combination.
Next election, don’t vote for any of the major party candidates. Vote for an independent who makes written commitment to a process of citizen-led, binding by referendum, democratic reform – something like that proposed by 2nd Republic.
Kerry, we didn’t.
@ Mike, they definitely don’t believe this tripe they’re spinning.
check out what’s happening in the USA now:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/dec/12/hsbc-prosecution-fine-money-laundering
The Eurocrat who was sitting beside him was fairly lively in putting Pink but Perfect back in his pram by saying that discussions would have to take their course.
He’s being saying this since Nice Treaty 2002 and 2003, Lisbon Treaty 2008 and 2009 and the Fiscal Compact in June 2012 that was supposed to give us the “bank deal” and “easier Budget” this year.
Oppression,unemployment and depression.
Eamon and that other reptile Lucinda making promises the cant keep. Again.
* Jason
“Tús maith, leath na hoibre” means “A good start is half the work” – at least it did when I was in school. Not “stability, jobs, growth” – 3 things GilBore would not recognize if they leapt up and bit him on the face.
How can GilBore claim he’s had a good start? He’s lost 5 TDs. The chairperson of the Labour Party voted against him. He’s overseeing cuts to children’s allowance. The saving by cutting the respite care grant have been eaten up by the increments to staff in the HSE, 621 of whom earn over 70k pa.
What, Mr GilBore, would you consider a “bad start”?
*shudders*
Why do they think we’ll ever get a deal when these clowns continue to pay themselves and their inner circles more than what those with the potential to offer us a deal get paid? It’s insulting to ask for a deal as long as that continues.
@David. There will be no debt deal until the CPA is unwound, followed by a 25% pay cut on all PS above 125k
Makes sense. When you have one country paying librarians more than what other larger countries in similar trouble to us pay their Prime Minister, you know something is clearly not right.
33 county/city managers on an average salary of €143,000. Add to that they can claim an extra 7.5% of their salary on travel and substance allowance – not to be confused with their “entertainment” allowance
http://politico.ie/irish-politics/8784-county-manager-salary-unchanged-for-two-years.html
As for the assistant managers on 90k+ …
Oh dear gilmore,you picked up the wrong script… “jobless,clueles and hopeless” you god damm ignormus.
Mike
The use of words such as God and Damn in describing anyone is socially unacceptable and indeed reprehensible. Could you try and avoid such vulgar displays in future. It is disturbing to some readers and cheapens any debate on the issues.
Thanks
Well how about bloated, detested, disgraceful, dispised, ignorant, untruthful, deceptive to name but a few words that spring to mind when I see that excuse for a politation or any of it’s ilk.
In his election manifesto it was Jobs, Reform and Fairness, Reform and Fairness have gone out the window and Stability and Growth are the new buzzwords.
What a complete and utter liar this man is, he has destroyed the Labour Party!
And thus in turn both fg/lab slowly destroying the country.
Bring back Frank Cluskey. It’s the only way to save Labour :)
Con there is no doubt, a true Labour man!
to true Frank
as George Orwell once said “political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind”.
if you think about it for just a minute our minister for bluster has indeed been guilty of all of the above but most of all the he,s guilty of the not only the murder of the Labour Party but also murdering the truth.
“Stability, jobs and growth”
History will ensure that you and KFC Kenny will eat those words – not that ye’ll care much by then.
How about an alternative?
“We came, we saw, we capitulated”
Stability, jobs and growth.
Status quo stasis, keep pretending ‘job-creation’ will put half a million back to work without structural paradigm change, and growth of profits for those already obscenely financially obese.
But it sounds like a program, so stick to the mantra.
Had my comment removed :(
Stabilise the Banks, Jobs 4 the Boys & Growing the political pay packet.
more like arbeit macht frei ……
this man gilbore is a spoofer he has no street cred or integrity left
“Stability, jobs and growth”
This is a cost cutting measure, they can reuse the materials from every EU referendum.
While we are on the topic of Lying:
A Sociopath:
A sociopath is typically defined as someone who lies incessantly to get their way and does so with little concern for others. A sociopath is often goal-oriented (i.e., lying is focused – it is done to get one’s way). Sociopaths have little regard or respect for the rights and feelings of others. Sociopaths are often charming and charismatic, but they use their talented social skills in manipulative and self-centered ways (see, lovefraud, for more on sociopaths).
And we vote 166 of them in every 4 years to represent us.
Eamonn Gilmore is such a blatant liar. I have no time for fine Gael but at least we knew they were going to shaft the economy by sticking with the ganksters.
Is he actually capable of speaking any other words??
Moron!!
Gilmore knows he will be on the scrapheap come the next election, and he is bringing the Labour Party down with him. But he doesn’t care. He doesn’t care about the ordinary people of Ireland. He only cares about his own massive salary, his fat pension and his European “friends” and rich buddies.
Was that not the mantra for the recent austerity treaty referendum…they don’t even have the decency to be honest with the people of this country. Ireland you need to wake up.
And a spotlight on youth unemployment. No doubt with attached CCTV.
And a partridge in a pear tree.
His priority was to get a big job for his wife and Rory Quinn created one. It must be a great job as there was no interviews – she ( I forget what name she uses) seemingly is the only person in Ireland capable of filling the post. She is leaving a job the pays in excess of €100,000:00 per year plus allowances and great pension so the new job must be close to €200,000:00 for year 1 if you include relocation allowance and compensation for the change. This means that his income into their home is about €10,000:00 a week plus allowances and expenses. I think he is Pee Flynn in disguise. DISGUSTING GREED.
Pig is not spelt g.r.e.e.d
As far as I know her new McJob pays 117k same as her old McJob. Except she lost an additional 4k in allowances
Dear Eamon
While I have been a fan of science fiction for many years I must admit this alternate universe you live in is definitely top quality material for a TV serious or even a film! Lucky you having this whole dimension to your self and Lord Enda.
Broke Skywalker
Lol lol …… Ha ha ha ha …..ja ja ja ja ja ja . banking union, stability , jobs ESM …. bah blah blah . I wish they would just go away and stfu. We are a ruined people. Roll on January is all I can say.
When you vote for a party based on their manifesto, which they then dishonour….. doesnt that change democracy to dictatorship? #justasking
Yes it does. !!
@colum what do you call the EU then where we dont ever have a vote so there is never any promises broken? sure look at Italy.the EU just stuck in monti a former banker to run the country & to ram through austerity measures.international bankers & corporations run everything now.our democracy is an illusion.love your DDI logo btw.
I thought Monti was elected by the Italian Parliament. Where did you get the idea he was imposed on the Italian people. Telling porkies isn’t really the done thing!
Many years ago the then Taoiseach appointed a well known academic to the Senate and then appointed him as Minister for Foreign Affairs……James Dooge. He was an excellent Minister and it was perfectly legal under our Constitution.
Now….tell me again about Senator Monti?
Vote yes!
We did and its not working…….funny that he should promise it again
That was only a promise Ryan.
Don’t have to keep those anymore.Make the promises.
Get in.
Break the promises.
Retire at next election.
Get the goodies for life.
Eff you.
It’s the (new) Labour way!
Sad that it doesn’t extend to the banks prommisery notes eh…just promises to the electorate that go shattered and broken, just like his party.
Lie lie lies that all i hear from enda and co
Sorry..but every time I see a politician’s picture here they have big fat overfed pig face jowls….livin’ it up…I suppose!
And that blue flag with gold stars in the background…..
Amy u sure u reported this correctly? I can’t find “corner-stone”
Fine Gale are doing a fantastic job of looking after 10% of the population. The rich
There must be a shortage of slogans in the Foreign Affairs apartment. Here are ones they could have used:
Bigger cages! Longer chains!
Come and take it!
The Fine Gael Labour Government Will Fight to the Last Irish Citizen To Preserve The Eurozone!
Never been had so good!
Power to the [strike]people[/strike] bondholders
Labour is not Working – and not while Labour is in Government with Fine Gael.
That halo of stars is supposed to imply that its his own immaculate conception.
Gilmore has destroyed the Labour Party. But the question has to be asked – was he ever a bona fide Labour man? Anybody who ditched political parties like he did must surely have ditched many political principles along the way. He is currently positioned somewhere to the right of Fine Gael, a long long way from Sinn Féin The Worker’s Party, Democratic Left, etc.
Austerity, Unemployment, Recession and plenty of expenses for the eurocrates
ah here we are once again,Gilmore speaking publicly about something,just for kicks let’s recap. Labours way or Frankfurt way,lies. no increase in college fees,lies. no cuts to welfare with labour in government,lies. lies lies and more lies. Now it’s stability jobs and whatever else falls out of his beak,i wouldn’t be surprised if a few freudian slips started occurring in his new native tongue of German. Everybody knows politicians are slippery, but this man is a bare faced LIAR! truth imo is he won’t care about labour being destroyed in the next election because his pension will be sewn up. Ireland voted for change,and instead we got a spineless coalition of career bums in suits. Angela already said no to legacy debts being covered so do us all a favour and stfu.
Tell the big lie, Gilmore.
Instability, unemployment, devastation and emigration is the true picture!
Gilmore your a ten carrot bullshiter , you and your yes men or whimps might be a better word have not to long left and the Irish people will let you know it.
His slogan should be “we will do and say everything we are told to do and say, as per usual”
Growth and Jobs for our euro bosses as he now says what they promised before the last election here was Stability and that remains the goal that’s worth cutting respite grants for and children’s allowance as they damage growth and jobs with the bankers cuts. Sick attitude and total contempt for Irish people.
As a motto goes it is pretty meaningless.
My motto would be “Chocolate, puppies and rainbows”. Now how could anyone not like that one?
the only growth. he and his worry about is there back balance
Kim Jung Un has more credibility than this man at this point in time!
Here’s a more accurate moto
“Incompetent , Irrelevant, Subservient . Ireland, taking it up the Kyber for Europe”
Check out IrishSemester, the free iPhone app for the Irish Presidency events organised by the Irish staff at the EU Joint Research Centre in Ispra, Italy
https://itunes.apple.com/it/app/irishsemester/id585962812?l=en&mt=8
Liar liar pants on fire
Same crappy sound bite to a different audience outside of Ireland may believe such utter rubbish bit.the Irish public know this is utter garbage and Goebbels Gilmore has failed in government with FG in achieving such a scenario.
Ha ha, listen to the funny man.
Honestly how can one have any concept of reality when he’s paid 20 times the average wage in Ireland.
have your say