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ICHH Director Anthony Flynn Facebook/ICHH
time for action
'I'll believe it when I see it': Homeless activist on council's promise of 210 extra bed spaces
Inner City Helping Homeless (ICHH) chief accuses councils of being “all talk and no action”.
THE HEAD OF one of Dublin’s leading charities has dismissed the council’s plans of an extra 210 homeless beds as “all talk”.
Anthony Flynn, who is director of the Inner City Helping Homeless (ICHH) charity said the council promises the world every winter but fails to deliver on any of its promises.
The ICHH held a press conference this morning detailing the plight of Dublin’s rough sleepers.
Hours later, Dublin City Council (DCC) said they would provide the beds required.
A DCC statement read: “Dublin City Council is advanced in work to expand emergency accommodation provision and will be bringing an additional 210 bed spaces into use as soon as possible as part of it’s winter strategy to prevent rough sleeping.”
But Flynn is taking their statement with a pinch of salt and claimed they only offered these beds since the media picked up on their press conference.
He told TheJournal.ie: “There’s no cofirmation of these beds, there’s no location. There’s no nothing.
I believe them when I see it. It’s the same every winter.
“This is just a reaction to what we’ve said at our press conference. They’re just trying to put out a fire.
“They make these announcements every year as we’re heading towards the winter. But every year nothing substantial happens.
“It’s always all talk and no action.”
“People need to open their eyes. It’s all well and good saying you have these beds. But show them to us. Where are they? It’s only going to get worse heading towards Christmas.”
Danger
Latest research from the ICHH found record numbers are being engaged nightly with little or no access to service.
Flynn added: “We need to face facts. Further inaction will result in deaths on the streets.
“The demographic of those presenting is younger than ever with those between the ages of 18-25 being highest recorded.
“The council and Minster {Simon Coveney} have a responsibility. We are well into the cold winter initiative and require beds now.
“I am asking the Minister to stand up to his promise and open these beds before we see deaths.”
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