MORE THAN 100 Dublin Corporation tenants are evicted each year, "50 to 60" of them for rent, arrears, according to Mr Joe Kenny, senior staff officer in charge of the corporation's arrears section, writes Patsy Mc Gary. About 20 evictions are scheduled for next month, while two others were earned out in Clondalkin yesterday.
As Mrs Joan Cunningham arrived at the Corporation's new Civic Offices shortly after midday, carrying £8,000 in a white plastic bag, she recalled that her family home had been on the same site in Winetavern Street. It had been demolished to make way for the new offices.
The notice on the conference room door, through which all were ushered, advised users to "protect our beautiful mahogany [sis] table".
Mr Kenny accepted £6,200 in cheques from Mrs Cunningham, clearing her arrears and covering her rent "until late August". The remainder of the money collected will go towards defraying the costs of her son's funeral and in repaying the money raised locally last Wednesday.
The balance of approximately £900 will be used by Mrs Cunningham, under the direction of Mr Andy Durran, of the local St Vincent de Paul branch, who has organised a home budget course for her.
Mr Kenny explained that evictions were a matter of last resort in a context where 85 per cent off the corporation 30,000 tenants were on social welfare.
When a tenant had rent arrears of six weeks, he or she was served with a notice to quit if the arrears were not paid, the matter was referred to the arrears section. Officials tried to reach agreement on payment before seeking a court order. "We still try to come to an agreement even after that", said Mr Kenny, "which is why we often, do not proceed with evictions."
Personally, he would favour the deduction of rent at social welfare payment source, if this was agreed by the tenant. However, as regulations stood, only people on assistance or benefit could have this done.
He conceded that no corporation social worker had been sent to visit Mrs Cunningham at any stage in the 10 years of difficulties experienced with her as a tenant. The corporation is only obliged to inform a health board community welfare officer of difficulties with a tenant when eviction is imminent.
Mr Kieran Stenson, of Focus Point, confirmed that one couple and their 21/2 year old daughter had called to them following their eviction in Clondalkin yesterday. The man and woman were being sent to separate hostels, he said, in accordance with the normal practice of the Eastern Health Board and Focus Point. The child had accompanied her mother.