Homeless Charity Criticises Government Over Inaction

Homeless charity criticises government over inaction

Focus Ireland is criticising what it claims is the Department of Social Protection's inaction over the homeless crisis. The charity says 71 homeless families were referred for help in April - the highest number on record. It also says there are more people sleeping in cars and other inappropriate places. Focus Ireland director of advocacy, Mike Allen, says the Department of Social Protection is seriously lacking when it comes to tackling the problem. "The Department of Social Protection seems to think this is somebody else's problem, and that they can just continue refusing to increase rent supplement and somehow the problem will go away, or somebody else will fix it" he said. "Providing a roof over you head seems to me to be the most fundamental form of social protection - so how they can consider this somebody else's problem is beyond me" he added.