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THREE OF IRELAND’S leading homelessness charities have started a campaign aimed at getting people to donate their water charges refunds towards tackling homelessness in Ireland.
Refunds totalling €173 million will be paid to 990,000 Irish Water customers before the end of the year.
The legislation to enable the refunding of water charges is progressing through the Oireachtas and is expected to be approved shortly.
In the meantime, the utility has launched a refunds page on its website for those who paid the charges and are due money back.
Focusing on the refunds, three of Ireland’s leading charities – Focus Ireland, Simon Community and the Peter McVerry Trust – have asked people to consider donating the money they received to go towards tackling Ireland’s homelessness crisis.
Latest figures for September show that there were 8,374 people homeless and living in state-funded emergency accommodation in Ireland in September. Of these, 5,250 were adults and 3,124 were children.
Child homelessness has quadrupled in three years and adult homelessness has more than doubled.
The charities in question have formed an oversight group in order to spearhead the initiative – chaired by former head of the Workplace Relations Commission Kieran Mulvey.
“We know that almost one million people are in line for Irish Water refunds and we believe that some would be open to donating their money to such an important initiative,” said Mulvey.
“There will be one million refunds and a total of €173 million being handed back – that could be of enormous assistance to over 8000 people who are currently homeless in this country.
This initiative could create a lasting and more positive outcome to the negative legacy of the recession years and provide that most fundamental of rights – a home.
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Donate my refund so some charity CEO can get a huge salary or embezzle it? I don’t think so. I’ve had enough with charity scams, thanks.
@The Supreme Being: Personally, the Peter McVerry Trust is one I trust. They do great work.
@The Supreme Being: your argument sounds very like the result of paying the charge in the first place.
@James O’Nolan, ide agree with ya there, the ceo of “Focus Ireland” picks up over 145 thousand & ceo of “Concern” has taken a drop to 99 thousand was previously over 130 thousand!
@Robert Moore: people renting had to pay the water charges yes or yes…
@The Supreme Being: I couldn’t of said it better charities are a joke.
@The Supreme Being: Agree with you. There are very few charities I trust, Peter McVerry, emergency services are about all I trust. How about the gov doing their job & fixing this problem. All charities of the same type should come under the same 1 charity i.e. homeless, mental issues, charities have 1 management board. They’re all looking for financial support. Most of the money raised is going to admin & wages. Get rid of all the high up admin. You only keep your job on the higher scale if you can prove that you have done something usefull to fix the problem. If I did my job like some of the higher admin in some of these charities or in the gov I would be signing on the dole the following day.
@Colette Kearns: according to this, the CEO of Focus Ireland receives a salary of €115,000, not €145,000.
http://www.thejournal.ie/irish-charity-ceo-salaries-spending-best-practice-2659408-Mar2016/
@bings: it’s a pity that some rogue charities screwed it up for the majority of good ones & consider yourself lucky that you can sign on to a very generous dole. Like it or not charities shore up a big gap that the state isn’t filling. ..if the charities dissappear your dole and benefits will disappear too……Utopia is a long way away.
@James O’Nolan: great work done there alright, the only problem I have is his involvement with the hutch family.
@Andy K: wow…bit of a sweeping statment..all that from one comment..
@Robert Moore: If he was selling his house then he HAD to pay. Emphasis on the word HAD. Solicitors wouldn’t touch the selling or buying of a house until charges were paid in full. Fact.
@Andy K: Everyone I know who refused to pay anything to this corrupt fake company is working full time, including myself. We refused to contribute to this scam because we have had enough of this corrupt government dipping into our pockets at every chance. You will realise this when you are an adult how infuriating it is to see corruption and complete mismanagement of public/our money all around you.
@The Supreme Being: right on, any good CEO should be working for free, ridiculous they getting paid
@wrinkly: Quentin Sheridan CEO of home sweet home was a convicted kidnapper burgler and armed robber. I’d rather not give charity my hard earned money
@Michael Geraghty: HSH wasn’t a charity and I wouldn’t give those a cent either
@Michael Geraghty: the 3 charities above are:
Peter Mc, Simon and Focus
@The Supreme Being: Agree totally. See this article from last sunday.”Housing Agency chief blasts dozens of homeless charities for being unaccountable with taxpayer funding” http://www.Irish mirror.ie/news/irish-news/dozens-irish-homeless-charities-blasted-11432737
@The Supreme Being: perfectly put
@James O’Nolan: james they got X amount of millions of tax payers money last year, I can’t remember the figure , but spent all bar one million on wages for staff, the rest of the work done by donations from people who already donated through their tax, don’t get over excited by them either .
@Gerry Campbell: Total rubbish! Get your facts straight: https://www.pmvtrust.ie/about-us/governance/
@The Supreme Being: you are supreme. Before making such statements or donation to these three charities you should check out their bona fides. You might be surprised
hmmmm, after watching RTE last night in convinced more than ever that government policies on immigration are causing the housing “crisis”. Now they plan to turn Dublin into a high rise lip while homing anyone who arrives in Dublin and claims to be homeless. I know it’s a tough pill but we can’t home everyone. Immigration policy needs fundamental review and change. Personally I think #irexit is needed. So , no I won’t be giving my eater refund to homeless charities.
@Danny foley: We are being dragged into the gutter by immigration policies , the extent of the madness hasn’t been fully shown yet .
I want to see action taken against these landlords and councils for not enforcing rules , and councillors who think their work is done because they fought for water refunds need to wake up to reality , flying foreign flags is not your business .
Immigration Policy has caused it? I would of taught voting FF & FG to engage in controlling the housing market through NAMA and Not encouraging any new builds might have something to do with it. But heh I must tell that Foreign Language student before his college is liquidated.
Immigration Policy has caused it? I would of taught voting FF & FG to engage in controlling the housing market through NAMA and Not encouraging any new builds might have something to do with it. But heh I must tell that Foreign Language student before his college is liquidated
@Danny foley: I agree with your sediments but IREXIT ?! No no, we are better off in the EU than out…
@Danny foley: In 2016 the State issued 181,025 PPS Numbers
source http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Personal-Public-Service-Number-Statistics-on-Numbers-Issued.aspx
73,328 were issued to Irish citizens, mainly children at birth
107,697 were issued to Foreign Nationals, mainly adults,
These adults number have to impact on housing needs
@Danny foley: You think the people coming over to either study or work are the reason we have a housing crisis? And as a result you want to leave the EU as you think this will solve it?
So what is your plan? Stop all immigration and live with a lack of nurses, doctors, teachers, retail assistants, programmers, foreign investors, refuse collectors and every other vital job in this country? You do realise all these people pay taxes and spend their money that they saved up for years in order to have a chance to live in Ireland or learn English?
And I hope you know that the lack of houses was created by the Irish politicians you trust so much. But the fact that people can still get a mortgage is due to the EU and the ECB.
But yes, lets just set fire to this country and leave the EU because you watched some RTE last night and have become an expert on economics, politics and immigration policy.
@Danny foley: Who is going to build all these houses ? There isn’t enough Irish to build the small number being built now , never mind what we need to build in the next few years. We need migrants just like England and America needed Irish immigrants in the past…..no different !
No thanks.ill just struggle on trying to pay my bills and feed my family.cheers all the same.
Would love to donate but unfortunately I had a set of balls and didn’t pay Irish water . Also I’d be donating to a charity, who could have a very well paid CEO at its head.
So didn’t pay, won’t,pay and won’t be donating
@nelly: tightarse
@nelly: Mé feinism Alice and well in Ireland. Don’t worry though, the other guy is picking up your tab.
@MK76: *alive and well
@nelly: well done nelly you leach. You and your like are what’s wrong with this country. Expect others to fund all the campaigns you support. Send me on your electric account sure and I’ll pay it for you.
@MK76: I’m right, you’re wrong . BA ba ba you’re a sheep
@David: balls of steel. And not a sheep. Won’t be bullied by government
@Andy K: Im a public sector Frontline worker and you sir are an ape . No backbone get back under your rock
@Joe Mc mahon: I pay all my bills and the only thing I ll send you is a “goodday sir’ you ape
@nelly: You pay all your bills? But you just said that you didn’t pay your water bill? And by the way, it doesn’t take “balls of steel” to join a herd of socialist weasels… it just means you’re a sheep who can’t think for yourself (hence your suitability for a frontline public sector job)
@nelly: didn’t pay your water bill. So you are a scab. End of. Public sector frontline worker who won’t pay their due. Can’t run from the facts!
@Joe Mc mahon: I’m a scab I’ll think you don’t know the meaning of the word, you paid so you are the SCAB . And a total Ape
@Dave O’Mahony: oh your so wise . How did you manage such wisdom from the small minded part of your brain. Must have been a lot of lefties in the country so. You really haven’t a clue
@nelly: “Scab: Someone who spends their life with their hand out, expecting the rest of us to provide for them.” That’s pasted from the urban dictionary. Seems to describe you to a tee. Nothing in there about a law abiding citizen who is willing to pay for whatever he uses. So rock you SCAB!
@nelly: I don’t see how what I said was small-minded. My taxes pay your wages and for your water. My house has no mains water connection, so does that mean you should be paying me for the electricity I use to power the well-pump, biocycle unit, and all associated maintenance? That’s what true socialism would suggest, but your weaseley-socialism is just selfishness in disguise. Who’s small-minded now?
@Joe Mc mahon: hay Princess , I’d say you never did a days work in your life . I’m a. Proud trade unionists and stand up for myself . You are a keyboard warrior and a sap . Rock you ??? Really! what age are you
@Dave O’Mahony: I’ve upset you snowflake. Grow up and stand up for yourself.
@nelly: ha ha, so glad you haven’t denied being a scab.
@Joe Mc mahon: scab look it up ,Princess. And I’d say you wouldn’t say it to my face but your words can’t hurt me .
@nelly: like a good gullible leftie, threaten when someone calls out your idiotic viewpoint and gives you a few home truths..
@Joe Mc mahon: good girl Princess. Hope you get your refund soon . Might be able to buy a set of balls . Coward
@nelly: ha ha.. I could stay going and have you prove even more what type of person you are.. but to be honest anyone who reads this thread can already see that. Have a nice day.
@Joe Mc mahon: your gone so . Typical no backbone or stamina. No wonder Irish water and the government stood all over you . I’m still no leftie ,Princess!
@nelly: still a scab bast-ard though..
@Joe Mc mahon: so you weren’t finished . Should be surprised you where not a man of your word. A spineless trumped up keyboard coward,who fishes for reactions from popularist posts to gain a bit of credit among the pond life living in the bowels of the journal trolls. So merry Christmas and I hope your septic tank doesn’t burst ,with all the s hit coming out both ends of you .
So long
Princess
I won’t be back ,as I’m a man of my word .
@nelly: y
@nelly: yet another admission, a popularist commentator. Or in lay mans terms a sheep. The sooner all you scrotes decide your next campaign the better.. may I suggest a swim across the Atlantic. I’ll even go to Clare to see ye off. Anyway, I’ve had my fun with you. You’ve shown yourself to be a complete idiot on many occasions. Enjoy warm house tonight, maybe spare a thought for the poor people on the street that you don’t give a crap about.. bye!!
Why not have one homeless charity rather than half a dozen. There is obviously money to be made. It was said one time that if you want to become a millionaire start a charity. I would say to the government to stop giving money to all but one of these charities.I would like an explanation why there are so many homeless charities. If you think about it if you had money paid to the ceo of each of these charities it could do a lot of work on the ground.
@denis o mahony: because that would be monopoly and there’s enough of that already
It’s ironic because the people who paid the water charges are mainly the supporters of the parties responsible for the homeless crisis. In the case of water and housing it is ultimately a privatization agenda that is the source of the problem. Charity can’t solve it. The more we give the more government avoids its responsibilities.
@VladosHat:
in the meantime until they build enough social housing real people are suffering now.
@VladosHat: Well said.
@VladosHat:
You’re absolutely right.
@VladosHat: The only reason I paid was because I didn’t want to be hit with paying a big later on. Plus I didn’t expect so many people not to pay because the Irish people give out a lot but don’t usually take action.
@VladosHat: not necessarily accurate. I paid the water charges because I wanted there to be more money for services, and for water to be charged by use for all who use it.
I would have preferred not to have received tax cuts either and for investment in reform and services to be prioritised instead. However I also fundamentally believe that everyone should contribute something, and I don’t believe people should be taken out of tax nets to the degree they are. I support progressive taxation, but not to the point that some people contribute nothing.
So there’s a water refund coming to me. I plan to spend it on something nice for ourselves, since the people have decided in their infinite wisdom not to release the cost of water from general taxation and put it into better services.
@VladosHat: cannot agree with such a general statement. Can you furnish data and advise us how you know the way those who paid had voted in the last general election.
Taxpayer funded handouts to just 4 Homeless Charities in 2015 the last year figures are available for.
source http://www.benefacts.ie
Focus Ireland €12,385,060
Peter McVerry Trust €8,765,241
Dublin Simon €7,472,844
Arlington Novas €7,064,841
Total €35,687,986
There are a plethora of other charities getting funding, go have a look for yourselves.
I am sure these charities got the same if not greater funding in 2016 and 2017 and in the last 5 years it would be safe to speculate they received approximately €175,000,000 from the taxpayer, a lot of money.
If you didn’t pay your water charges and claimed the water conservation grant perhaps you’d donate that €100 to the homeless
@Alan Conroy: I already did that when I applied for it. Any refunds I’m due (paid due to house sale) will be going to a more deserving charity… not homeless.
The government claims to spends €19k for every homeless person nationwide in 2016. Then you have the charity sector! There are a lot of other charities that are short of funds that could do with the water refunds.
@Martin Sinnott: there’s a lot of services that could have done with the general taxation which could have been diverted from providing water without an end user charge. More efficient than writing Cheques and asking people to donate the money to charity
Sure, do we not already pay for the homeless through our taxes?
Just like water is paid for by Motor Tax.
Help the homeless this winter, great idea. Unfortunately as I boycotted this quango Co I am not entitled to get money back,I will donate anyway in some way..
I’ll be donating it to my ESB bill.
After the charities scandals over the past 5-6 years, many deserving charities lost out on public donations and are still struggling.
Homeless charities have not been hit as hard. There’s more sympathy for them than ever before… look at all the money donated to Apollo House HSH – what happened to it???
I usually make a donation to a charity in lieu of sending Christmas cards – refund or no refund – it will be going anywhere but homeless this year…
Well, I think it’s a great idea!
I was made homeless in May this year, through no fault of my own, and can tell you for a fact – Simon and Focus were worse than useless.
Peter McVerry Trust were sympathetic but said they only “really help with addictions”.
I contacted Simon and Focus shortly before I knew I would have nowhere to live and they told me to come back after I was homeless, despite the fact their websites say “contact us if you are in danger of being homeless”
When I did have nowhere to go, they recommended I speak to Parkgate House to get a bed, and offered no support other than “Good luck with that”
Eh, i dont think so! How about you get the govt to match the amount to be paid back to the public on water charges? Those, who paid, are already out of pocket and its not our jpb to provide for the homeless. The general public donate to charrities out of good will, but its not actually our job to facilitate them; thats the govts and they are failing miserably to accommadate the homeless.
Most people struggled to pay this extortion racket and will only goes towards new electricity stealth levies , unless you well off or play fool s gladly
How about noooo??
I will be happy to donate my refund to charity that works tirelessly for the homeless .
We dont give anymore to many scandals in this sector.
Delighted to pass on the Interest portion accrued while in the Government coffers.
Screw the “Won’t Pay” Army of scrounges they get too much for Sweet F All.
don’t give it back to them. they don’t deserve it for paying it in the first place.
Yep great idea, will do that as soon as the cheque arrives, nice bump for the charities I hope at Christmas. Didn’t mind paying water charges in the first place, a limited resource until we figure out how to economically desalinate the sea.
@Starburst: ‘A limited resource’ – it does have a cycle of evaporation and then falling from clouds so it is not limited – OK in the Irish Water FFFGLAB sponsored RTE Adverts it was proclaimed as a ‘precious limited resource’ – but no, it’s not.
Billions, yes – thousands of millions have been squandered by a private company under the guise of a public company to setup a call centre which in itself was sub-contracted out.
Not one pipe fixed by the quango – all work sent back to local councils themselves purposely underfunded.
@eastsmer: Try explaining that to the nodding half wits you see on these pages who cheer on blatant filthy corruption like this fake billing company that has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with actual water management. These donkeys are either too thick to acknowledge it or they have vested interests in supporting a corrupt, filthy establishment full to the brim of idiots.
One of the charities should open a helpline for those who would like to talk about having engaged with Irish Water – point the finger at your neighbour if need be.
But seriously how much money can you waste?
Father Kevin who feeds the homeless if anyone is looking to help a charity and he is not a catholic priest before any comments come in …
I’m getting €12.40 back and I have big plans for it
(a) If the homeless are drawing welfare, then they have enough money to pay for accommodation and if not in Dublin, there’s plenty in the country
(b) If the homeless are incompetent and not capable of claiming welfare, then they should be institutionalises
(c) If the homeless are junkies, then they should be gave accommodation in lieu of
part of their welfare checque
(d) The Vagrancy Act should be reenacted and the streets cleared up.
The donating of water charges to the homeles wouldn’t last 3 months and then there
is the same problem.
Ireland and particularly Dublin ought to be ashamed, not for having homeless, but rather
by doing nothing.
We did a presentation on Ireland to some Aussie tourists this week and we advised them to shun Dublin, particularly at night, due to the risk posed by junkies, pickpockets and
the homeless. If others do the same, then perhaps Dublin will get the message. We dont
go to Dublin since a friend’s daughter had her Iphone pickpocketed on Grafton St.
If all charges are refunded…how will Irish Water wages be paid????
I paid my water charges why target those who chose to pay, why discriminate when asking people to give to charity. I cannot give to charity all the time. I have bills to pay like everyone else
Ya can go shite
no it wouldnt,, it would just make sure that the fat cats running the these “charities” will still get their obscene salaries ,,, dont give these parisites your water money,, it wont go to the homeless,,it willgo to the salaries of these maggots!
A really great idea!
have your say