DUBLIN’S HOMELESS EXECUTIVE says it does monitor the standard of emergency accommodation for homeless people, but says that it is facing unprecedented pressure.
The Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE) was reacting to criticism from Socialist TD Ruth Coppinger, who uploaded a video to her Facebook page of a family in emergency hotel accommodation who had cockroaches in their bath.
Coppinger said that the video showed a need for inspections of hotels which are used to house those in need of emergency accommodation.
Coppinger said the family have had health problems and are lacking basic amenities in their room.
I’m horrified having seen video evidence of cockroaches in the bedroom and shower of a family in a Dublin hotel receiving taxpayers’ money over a long period. How much is being paid by Dublin City Council to ‘hotels’ who ignore complaints about cockroaches? What sort of hotel in this century doesn’t even provide a TV in rooms? Why is a kettle too much to ask for?
“Today, I am asking Dublin City Council to inspect all premises where they are paying for accommodation. I will be asking how much they have paid to the premises where these cockroaches were recorded; whether they will carry out unannounced inspections; whether they will allow outsiders or media in to view all premises; and where they will safely re-accommodate families.”
https://www.facebook.com/RuthCoppingerTD/videos/vb.156398467784136/879069175517058/?type=2&theater
Can’t see the video or gif? Click here
However, the DRHE says that the units are inspected, but demand for accommodation is far beyond what it has been in recent years.
“It is important to clarify that inspections are carried out within emergency accommodation and there is in place a regional “facilities management team” that are tasked with this important function. All complaints made in respect of standards are followed up and providers are instructed to rectify concerns where standards fall short of what is expected.”
The average nightly placements by the local authorities in the Dublin region into emergency accommodation from April to June 2015 is 228, DRHE says.
It is further noted that the DRHE and Dublin Local Authorities have always maintained that the use of commercial hotel settings is not a sustainable approach to resolving the housing needs for vulnerable families.
The DRHE advised anyone at risk of becoming homeless to make contact with authorities as soon as possible.
“A significant number of families who have been renting in the greater Dublin area have been prevented from becoming homeless under a prevention initiative led by the four Dublin local authorities and delivered by the Tenancy Protection Service (TPS), operated by Threshold and contacted through 1800 454 454.”
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