The Minister for housing Paudie Coffey is strongly insisting the Forum on Homelessness is not just a talking shop.
Mr Coffey also claims that the Government will do all it can in order to get the many homeless people off the streets by Christmas. Mr Coffey made his comments whilst speaking at special meeting targeting the controversial issue, it is understood that voluntary groups working with homeless people and local authorities were the main attendees at the meeting .
His comments have come in the wake of the death of Jonathan Corrie just metres away from Leinster House on Molesworth Street in Dublin earlier this week.
Minister Coffey says he is absolutely determined to address the current crisis, saying: “Government has made a commitment in the homelessness policy to end long-term, involuntary homelessness by the end of 2016”. “I certainly hope that after today’s forum and meetings, we can do all in our power to get the homeless people, the rough sleepers that we talk about first of all they are our first priority – off the streets, even by this Christmas.”
Meanwhile Dublin’s Lord Mayor Christie Burke has also had his say on the issue saying “immediate action is needed”.
Mr Burke said: “I believe that you could take the rough sleepers off the street in the next seven to 10 days. “Nama have properties, they have hotels, open them up and put a few quid into them to put them together with beds and shelter, hot and cold water”.”And with a view then of independent living down the road.”
According the homelessness charity group Focus Ireland it is believed that there is up to 5,000 people at any one time who are currently homeless in Ireland.