By Sarah Mac Donald - 20 September, 2015
Pic shows Tanaiste and Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton cutting the ribbon with Crosscare staff Valerie Cummins (food bank manager) and Michael McDonagh (Senior Manager for food and outreach) at the opening of the Foodbank in Glasnevin Dublin. Pic John Mc Elroy.
Crosscare, the social support agency of the Archdiocese of Dublin, has given its support to the development of short-term modular housing as an interim solution to the lack of social housing in the greater Dublin area.
In a statement, Crosscare director, Conor Hickey said of the proposal by the Dublin Local Authorities, “This is a real emergency situation. Continuing to put families into hotel accommodation, or worse, leaving them to fend for themselves is just not acceptable.”
He added that the modular housing being proposed is “of a good standard and as a short-term measure we welcome it as an alternative to hotel accommodation”.
However, the Crosscare director warned that, “We must take great care to ensure that this is only an emergency response while we wait for proper social housing to come on stream. It is a frightening prospect that families may be left for years in this type of provision.”
He said there needs to be a clear exit strategy from modular housing and the use of hotels for families.
“There must be a plan to ensure that the state’s investment in these type of units can be transferred to alternative uses, for example, student accommodation, which would continue to ease pressure on the housing market. Families must not be left indefinitely in this type of provision.”
Separately, the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, opened the new food bank facility for Crosscare which is based in Glasnevin.
It will dispense donated food to 70 charities and other food banks around Dublin.
According to Michael McDonagh of Crosscare, there is a growing demand for food banks all over the country.
