The Government's new integrated strategy to deal with homelessness has been welcomed by Galway Simon. However, the organisation says it is still not clear who is ultimately responsible for co-ordinating services and funding.
The strategy was announced earlier this month by the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal, Mr Bobby Molloy, and aims to co-ordinate the work of the relevant departments and voluntary agencies dealing with the issue. Capital spending on accommodation is to be doubled over the next five years, and additional funding will be made available to voluntary bodies and the Department of Health and Children for in-house care and settlement services.
Mr Padraic Kenna, director of the Galway Simon Community, says research carried out in 1998 showed there were almost 1,000 homeless people in Galway during that year. The 1999 local authority assessments indicated there were 149 homeless people in the city over a period of one week, and 29 homeless in the county area. Recent soup runs by Simon volunteers have reported up to 14 homeless nightly in the city, including two or three children.
The proposed measures will involve the drawing up of action plans by Galway Corporation and Galway County Council and other counties, along with the Western Health Board. Funding increases will allow health boards to pay more for care and support, and there is provision for resettlement, move-on housing, outreach work and preventative strategies. Galway Simon has already applied for funding and support in all these areas of work.
However, Mr Kenna has expressed concern about the lack of clarification on ultimate responsibility. "Experience has taught us that State bodies do not always work well together," he says.
"Significantly, the State agencies do not appear to be planning to provide any of the services for homeless people directly, and we wonder why Ireland is different to other European countries in this regard.
"The onus for meeting the needs on a practical and day-today level will still remain with the voluntary agencies, who will still be relying on goodwill from local State bodies to cover their running costs, in between fundraising and other work.
"While we welcome such support, we cannot carry out the duties of the State, even with increased resources, on a voluntary basis," he said. "Galway Simon believes that homeless people are equal citizens of the State, and as such should have their health and care needs met in full."
Next Monday, Galway Simon is hosting a one-day meeting in association with Galway Housing and Accommodation Forum and the Galway Housing Association on the needs of women in the city, as part of the initiative.
In 1998, some 211 women and 265 children were found to be homeless. A city partnership report has pointed out that homeless women without dependants are not always as visible as homeless men, or families with children.
The Society of St Vincent de Paul has stated that for every vacancy at its Mill Street complex, there are over 30 single women applicants. One of the problems is the "minimalist and unclear" definition of homeless women, according to Galway Simon. It says that new services are required, and it is actively encouraging all those individuals and groups with an interest to take part in the seminar, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m in Jury's Inn on May 22nd.
Speakers will include Ms Mary Walsh, assistant principal officer, housing construction at the Department of the Environment; Ms Mary Higgins, director of the Homeless Initiative; Ms June Daly of Bethlehem House; and Ms Helen Mortimer of NUI Galway Women's Studies Centre.
For more information, contact Mairead Conroy of Galway Simon on (091) 525091 or 589415.