Author: Ailbhe Conneely
Families are sharing their heartbreaking stories of loss and grief during the Covid-19 pandemic through ‘The People’s Covid Inquiry’, a project created by Care Champions in response to the Government’s evaluation. The inquiry aims to collect testimonials from survivors and families impacted by the pandemic, shedding light on the experiences of those seeking answers. Today, testimonials from 30 family members have been shared on social media, revealing the pain of losing loved ones to Covid-19 while facing strict guidelines that kept them apart. The People’s Covid Inquiry seeks to advocate for urgent reforms and transparency, offering a platform for those…
A recent legislation introduced in April 2023 that mandates the abolition of wardship has left families facing pressure and uncertainty. The Discharge of Wards Support Group, representing over 100 families, criticizes the new system as cold and exclusionary. The Courts Service has emphasized the importance of starting the discharge process as soon as possible to avoid a logjam as the deadline of April 2026 approaches. Families are concerned about the lack of consultation and transparency in the Decision Support Service. They question the assessment of capacity and the financial burden placed on them without government support. The group is advocating…
In Ireland, the number of people experiencing homelessness continues to rise, with 14,429 individuals seeking emergency accommodation in July, including 10,028 adults and 4,401 children. This data, reflected in the Department of Housing’s latest report, shows a 12% increase compared to the previous year. Wayne Stanley from the Simon Communities of Ireland emphasized the need for proactive measures to address this crisis, especially with the upcoming Budget and general election. The Dublin Simon Community highlighted an 11% increase in individuals accessing emergency accommodation, expressing disappointment in the government’s lack of action. Focus Ireland pointed out the growing struggle for families…
The international charity ActionAid Ireland has condemned the recent orders for lone parents in Direct Provision to relocate by mid-September as “scandalous”. This directive has left families scrambling to find school places for their children after being unexpectedly uprooted from their communities. Amid confusion and lack of follow-up from the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS), parents were left in limbo with varying moving deadlines. ActionAid Ireland has criticized the Government for failing to treat these families with dignity and respect during an already challenging time. The charity has renewed its plea to exempt lone parents with international protection from eviction…
The Irish Refugee Council is championing the need for more companies to provide internships to asylum seekers and refugees who complete the ‘Know Your Rights’ online training course. The course, launched in 2017, has been instrumental in securing paid internships for participants at legal and accountancy firms in Ireland. DLA Piper, an international law firm, introduced the Know Your Rights Programme to empower refugees and asylum seekers in navigating the legal system, employment, housing, and healthcare. This initiative has now expanded to include an eight-week paid internship, with the first intern, Viorika Zakhovavko, successfully completing the program. Participants like Viorika,…
The latest quarterly Simon Communities’ Locked out of the Market report revealed that there were 43 properties available to rent within the discretionary rate of the Housing Assistance Payment in June this year, which marks a 13% increase from March 2024. Across 16 areas surveyed, there were 1,178 properties available to rent at any price within the HAP rate, showing a 26% rise from the previous year. Dublin dominated the supply of properties within HAP limits, with 93% of the total HAP properties located in the capital. However, some areas like Athlone, Limerick city centre, and Portlaoise had no properties…
The Government has unveiled the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2024-2028 (NTRIS II) to tackle discrimination and inequalities faced by Travellers and Roma in Ireland. The strategy, building upon the previous 2017 initiative that recognized Traveller ethnicity, focuses on nine key themes including health, education, employment, and accommodation. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth will lead the implementation, with the Department of Social Protection overseeing employment opportunities. The plan also emphasizes cultural awareness training for Government staff and includes specific initiatives for mental health support, suicide prevention, and homelessness. Pavee Point, a Traveller and Roma advocacy…
A recent report from organisations representing 80% of Irish childcare providers has highlighted “serious concerns” that nearly half of providers may have to stop receiving core funding due to unsustainable costs and chronic underfunding. As a result, fees for parents could increase by 30-40%, impacting access to high-quality early years education. Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman stated that 95% of providers took up core funding in the first year, with plans to increase funding by 15% in the next program year. Additionally, a 25% reduction in parents’ fees through the National Childcare Scheme is set to take effect from 2…
In a recent development, Minister for Integration Roderic O’Gorman reaffirmed the plan to utilize the Coolock site for International Protection families. At the launch of the Government’s Traveller and Roma Strategy, O’Gorman acknowledged the proposal put forth by the Northside Partnership for broader community engagement. Addressing questions about the placement of International Protection applicants at a hotel in Dundrum, which has been hosting Ukrainian refugees, the Minister confirmed the continuation of the plan. The facility has housed around 280 Ukrainian families over the past year and is set to accommodate a similar number of International Protection applicants. O’Gorman expressed confidence…
A representative association is urging the Government to conduct an independent review of the children’s care system, in response to concerns raised by district court judges about the crisis in the care sector. The Child Law Project highlighted the lack of special care beds for vulnerable children, with judges expressing “despair” over the situation. The Children’s Residential and Aftercare Voluntary Association (CRAVA) supports the judges’ comments, criticizing Tusla and the Government for not fulfilling their duty to children in care. CRAVA, representing voluntary organizations providing services on behalf of the state, has repeatedly called for systemic review to address failings.…