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Seanad Group Leader and Seanad Spokesperson on Social Protection, Catherine Ardagh has said it is vital that the Government are mindful of struggling families during their Budget 2019 preparations.
Research published today by St Vincent de Paul (SVP) highlights the level of financial burden being faced by families across Ireland. The high cost of housing was the most cited cause of income inadequacy. Commenting on the report’s findings, Senator Ardagh said, “Hidden behind the constant Government claims of a major economic recovery over the past 2 years have been the families who continue to struggle with the strain of juggling their low income to make ends meet. “There is a growing and troubling narrative emerging on the part of some that these families don’t work, or at least don’t work hard enough to be able to afford their essential outgoing expenses but that is not necessarily the case at all. “There are a myriad of reasons why a family’s income can take an unexpected hit – a reduction in work hours, the death of a family member, a hike in the price of rent or even being struck down with an illness. “The desperate lack of affordable childcare is another factor which has forced some parents out of work or has led to them having to work less hours meaning they earn less. The Crumlin based Senator added, “The findings of this report sadly underscore much of what was already known and has been previously brought to the Government’s attention. These families require urgent support to help manage their shortfall in income. “Anyone affected can tell you of the sacrifices and the stress of dealing with an inadequate income; the constant worrying about bills and not having the money to buy sufficient food, heating or to pay for incidental school bills. “I hope that Government will be especially mindful of these families in its preparations.” State must intervene in the proposed sale of former John Player Wills site on open market – Ardagh2/10/2018 Fianna Fáil Seanad Group Leader, Senator Catherine Ardagh has said the former John Player cigarette site in Dublin 8 is a city development of crucial importance and must not be sold on the open market.
Senator Ardagh said, “There is the potential to build more than 600 social and affordable homes on this site that happens to be in one of the most adversely affected areas by the housing crisis in recent years. “People are desperate for homes in our area but the market is so volatile that they simple cannot afford to rent let alone buy. The severe housing shortages are driving people to despair. “The South Circular Road site is prime, strategic land with enormous potential to alleviate the city’s crisis in housing. It would be an appalling decision and an utter failure of State to allow the sale of this site to go ahead without intervention. “The focus should not be on maximising the value of this site; its worth goes beyond capital. “The development of this site can positively impact the market rate in the South Inner City and should be therefore fully utilised to deliver the mixed housing needs of so many,” concluded Senator Ardagh. Fianna Fáil Seanad Group Leader, Senator Catherine Ardagh has said the rise in suicide rates among young women living in Dublin South-Central is a deeply worrying trend that can be preventing from continuing.
The Dublin based Senator raised the matter in Seanad Éireann last week as it became known that at least 18 women in Dublin South Central died tragically by suicide last year. She said, “Much emphasis is placed on highlighting the prevalence of suicide among young Irish men but we must recognise also that there has been a worrying rise in the number of women dying by suicide in our community. “These women were mothers with young children; some may have been early school leavers while others struggled in homelessness, women with adverse childhood experiences and living in difficult circumstances including drug or alcohol addiction. “Psychiatrists working with the Health Service Executive locally have recognised that these statistics are unique to our area and have raised their concern regarding the growing number ending their lives by suicide. “I believe that it is no coincidence that these women lived in one of the most socially deprived and economically neglected in the country. The challenges faced by the women in our area who have sadly died by suicide undoubtedly contributed to their ability to maintain a good mental health. “It is far from a myth that social inequality and living in an area of socioeconomic deprivation can affect a person’s deteriorating mental health. “Local and national State agencies and organisations need to be better resources by Government to support those in unemployment, emergency accommodation, overwhelmed by growing debt or suffering in addiction. “Our collective focus as legislators and elected representatives should remain on implementing measures in the community aimed at suicide prevention and addressing the risks associated with driving women to suicide. “Throughout the month of May we have been rightfully encouraged to promote positive mental health and make a real difference to a person who feels pushed towards ending their life. The Senator concluded, “We know that death by suicide can so often be prevented when the adequate supports are provided and made accessible. There has never been a greater need to ensure that fewer Dublin women feel such hopelessness.” Airbnb Professional Listers are adding pressure on Dublin’s stressed rental market - Ardagh17/5/2018 - Onus is still on Government to urgently deliver new housing stock -
Fianna Fáil Seanad Group Leader, Senator Catherine Ardagh says the lack of regulations enforced on professional Airbnb listers is contributing to the steady decline in available long-term rental accommodation in Dublin. Research carried out by leading property website Daft.ie has found that a growing number of landlords in the city are choosing to let their properties to tourists rather than long-term tenants. The Senator raised the matter during Order of Business in Seanad Éireann earlier today. She said, “The housing situation in the city is a peculiar one in that we have tourists staying in residential accommodation while Ireland’s homeless people are living in hotels. “Dublin City Council spent close to €100 million on emergency accommodation last year. Some city centre hotels were paid over €4 million euro to provide rooms for those in need of somewhere to live. “As of yesterday, there were just 1,258 long-term rental properties available in Dublin via the website Daft.ie. There are over 200 more homes available to let from professional listers on Airbnb. “Not only is this taking much needed units out of rental market, the practice of renting a property to tourists tends to create hassle and disturbance for locals in the vicinity of Airbnb’s popular with those visiting the city for extended periods. “Airbnb is an issue in the Capital but really the core problem is the sheer lack of rental units available to those hoping to settle and live in Dublin. It is easy to remedy the poor rental situation by delivering new housing supply. "This Government has an opportunity to examine our party’s proposals to regulate this dubious behaviour by adopting a 90 day limit on short term Airbnb lettings. She concluded, “Despite our Bill having been introduced in the Oireachtas and the problems it aims to fix being repeatedly highlighted - no legislative action has been taken to sort the problem of short term letting platforms." |
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