Sir, – We wish to draw your attention to a situation that is both a national crisis and a national outrage There are 3,194 young people under the age of 18 who are currently without a home, according to official numbers. This is the highest it has ever been in the history of the Republic.
There are some people who see privately educated students like us as completely oblivious to the real problems facing modern Ireland. And yes, most of us are in a privileged position in society. But we do see, and we do care. And it would be totally irresponsible of us not to fight for those whose rights have been taken away – those whom we and society at large have failed.
During the month of October, 77 young people became homeless, and the current trend suggests that figure will rise monthly. It’s an epidemic that is destroying people’s lives. The boys from our school who do a soup run all through the year continually remind us that behind each statistic is a person with a name. They not only have to deal with the normal stresses associated with growing up – State exams, school life, social life – but they have to do so without having a place to call home.
We cannot watch more of our peers become homeless and do nothing about it.
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Our school is run on a policy of “People for Others”. It’s part of the Jesuit ethos and it’s what inspired 12 boys from the college to set up what has now become the 34th Belvedere Annual SleepOut. Last year, with the ever-reliable support of the public, SleepOut16 raised a record €225,021.61 (www.sleepoutdublin.ie).
This year again, more than 100 students, teachers, past pupils and parents will be sleeping out in Dublin’s inner city to raise funds and awareness for Focus Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust and HomeAgain. These three charities are fighting against the epidemic that is homelessness. We are hoping that the same generosity of passersbys will lead to another record-breaking collection.
Eighteen babies were born into homelessness last year. They spent their first day without a home. Children need foundations as they develop. A real home is more than just four walls, it’s a safe haven, a place where children can be themselves without anxiety or a sense of insecurity.
A home also comes with friends from across the street, warmth at night and a sense of belonging. These are necessary things in the development of a child. We cannot begin to understand what it must be like not to have a house you can call home. Nor can we believe that the State is simultaneously experiencing increased economic growth and increasing levels of homelessness.
Fr Peter McVerry SJ said recently that,“We are beyond crisis, and Ireland has tolerated a dysfunctional housing system for far too long.” We couldn’t agree more. It truly is an emergency. – Yours, etc,
ANDREW BIRMINGHAM,
AARON COLEMAN,
JACK KEATING,
CATHAL MCGUINNESS,
EOGHAN O’HANLON,
CONRAD OPPERMANN,
KEVIN OWENS &
CORMAC YALLOWAY,
Students of SleepOut17,
Belvedere College,
Great Denmark Street,
Dublin 1.