Latest news with #SocialDemocrats
Irish Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
April homelessness figures break another record as child homelessness increases
The monthly homelessness record has been broken once again, with over 15,500 people homeless in Ireland in April. The figures, published by the Department of Housing on Friday, confirmed that 15,580 individuals were accessing emergency accommodation in April. Of these, 4,775 homeless people were children. This is an additional 162 people in the space of a month, 100 of whom were children. The March homelessness report stated there were 15,418 homeless people. This included 4,675 children. The figures do not include people sleeping rough or on the streets, couch-surfing or those in domestic violence refuges. Unaccommodated asylum seekers are also not included in these figures. The April figures show that the majority of people in emergency accommodation (71 per cent) were in Dublin. There were 2,245 homeless families, of which 1,291 were single-parent families. Speaking on Friday morning before the figures were released at 2pm, Housing Minister James Browne said he had not yet seen the April stats. However, he expressed concern at the ongoing rise in numbers. Minister Browne said: 'They have been increasing for some considerable time. That is, I think for some, for myself, it's quite upsetting. 'But not half as upsetting for those people who need that accommodation. It's about delivering supply. [That] is the only way we're going to address homelessness. 'If you look at homelessness in cities right around the world, even really progressive cities that have high homelessness, it's because they have high rents. 'Why do they have high rents? Because of a lack of supply. The only way out of this is supply.' At the same event, Minister Browne once again admitted that the Government's own self-imposed housing target of 41,000 homes in 2025 is going to be 'extremely challenging' to meet. He said that most organisations are suggesting that between 33,000 and 34,000 homes would be completed. Social Democrats housing spokesman Rory Hearne denied Minister Browne's suggestion that supply is the only thing that will solve the homelessness problem. He said: 'The issue with homelessness is not just the supply of housing. It's also about the prevention of homelessness, preventing people from becoming homeless. 'There are currently families in their homes who have been issued notices to quit in the private rental sector. 'Providing new supply doesn't keep those in their homes. Tomorrow, if you actually put in place a ban on evictions, if you give the tenants in-situ schemes and the local authorities the funding they need, then you can prevent those families from becoming homelessness. 'It's not just a question of supply, of supply, it's also what are the preventative measures you're putting in place?' Mr Hearne also argued that there has been a 171 per cent increase in the last three years in the number of children who are spending over 12 months in emergency accommodation. Sinn Féin's housing spokesman Eoin Ó Broin, meanwhile, stated that the figures were a 'stain' on this Government and society. He said: 'It's very clear this Government has thrown in the towel. 'The Government won't meet their housing targets this year. They certainly won't meet their social affordable housing targets. 'House prices, rents and homelessness will continue to rise. That's why we need an emergency response.'
The Journal
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Record 15,580 people in emergency accommodation last month, including 4,775 children
THE NUMBER OF people in Ireland living in emergency accommodation stood at 15,580 in April. The figure includes 4,775 children – 100 more than last month. This doesn't account for those rough sleeping, refugees, asylum seekers, individuals in domestic violence shelters, or those experiencing 'hidden homelessness', such as sleeping in cars, on couches, or other unsuitable living conditions. The figures are taken from the week of 21 April. Of the adults accessing emergency accommodation, 7,652 were in Co Dublin. Some 650 adults were in Cork, 496 were in Limerick, and 249 were in Galway. There were 3,559 children living in emergency accommodation in Dublin. There were 230 in the West (Galway, Mayo and Roscommon), and 219 in the Mid-East (Kildare, Meath and Wicklow). Advertisement 'Possible to end homelessness' Mike Allen, Director of Advocacy at Focus Ireland, said the number of children homeless is 'unacceptable'. 'This should be a carefree time for children as they look forward to school holidays and the longer evenings. 'Instead of this, the harsh reality for many children who are homeless is that they are studying for exams while living in family hubs or hotels without anywhere suitable to even do their homework.' He said the government's new housing plan, which is due to be published in July, must deliver a 'radical policy shift' to meet the growing needs across society. 'It is possible to end homelessness, and we must all learn the lessons from what is working and has worked in the past and so more of the same.' Rory Hearne TD, housing spokesperson for the Social Democrats, says the homelessness figures are a 'shameful milestone' and a direct result of government policy. 'Failing to take an interventionist approach in coordinating a national emergency response to homelessness across all local authorities, destroying the Tenant in Situ Scheme, and threatening to end rent caps have collectively pushed more and more people into homelessness,' he said. Hearne called them 'intolerable and excusable' failures. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Local Germany
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Local Germany
TELL US: Are you affected by Germany's plan to scrap fast-track citizenship process?
The law change would basically end the possibility that highly integrated foreigners can naturalise as German after just three years - instead of the standard five. The conservative Christian Union parties (CDU/CSU) and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) had already agreed the reform in their coalition deal. The three-year track for well-integrated immigrants was introduced in mid-2024 as part of a sweeping reform of Germany's citizenship rules. Those reforms also introduced the possibility for non-EU nationals to get German citizenship and become dual nationals - previously this was only available to those with an EU nationality. So tell us how you feel about the change and if you'll be affected in this quick questionnaire below. If it does not appear click here .
Egypt Independent
a day ago
- Business
- Egypt Independent
Zelensky departs Germany with pledge for help with long-range weapons, but no Taurus missiles
Berlin CNN — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will leave Berlin with a new €5 billion ($5.7bn) arms package as he seeks to build his country's arsenal, and its ability to produce weapons at home. The standout agreement in the package announced in the German capital on Wednesday centers around Germany financing the joint production of long-range missiles inside Ukraine that would enable Kyiv to strike targets deep into Russia. Also included in the announcement were more air defense systems, weapons, ammunition, 'command and operational' capabilities and medical assistance. One significant aspect was missing. There had been big expectations prior to the news conference that Merz would announce the transfer or approval of Ukraine's use of Germany's highly sophisticated long-range Taurus missiles. Merz had been very strong on ensuring Ukraine received Taurus during the election campaign against Olaf Scholz, the former chancellor, of the Social Democrats. Scholz and the party were very reticent to send the weapons, worried it may escalate the conflict even further. It appears that Merz's own fledging coalition with the Social Democrats – now the junior partners in government – appears to have its own significant disagreement on Taurus. One member of Merz's party, the Christian Democrats, tweeted on Tuesday: 'I still see no unity within the coalition and no political will to respond appropriately, with force and consistency to Russia's massive escalation.' The system would allow Ukraine to strike targets far beyond the capabilities of British Storm Shadow and American-made ATACAM missiles. But standing shoulder to shoulder with Zelensky in Berlin, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said: 'We will be expanding this support so that Ukraine, now and in the future, can continue to defend itself against Russian aggression.' Merz added that 'this is the beginning of a new phase of industrial military cooperation between our countries that has a great deal of potential.' However, in keeping with a new edict from the chancellor and his new government, tangible details of that deal were not forthcoming. It has made a conscious decision to withhold information around weapons exchanges to ensure 'strategic ambiguity.' The deal nevertheless signifies a major step in deepening the co-operation between Germany and Ukraine, particularly in terms of arms procurement. It also marked the third meeting in as many weeks between the two leaders – especially significant given that Merz has only been chancellor for three weeks. A later statement released from the German defense ministry said it plans 'to invest more directly in Ukrainian production in the future.' Zelensky appeared to hint at today's agreements before leaving Kyiv for Germany's capital. In his nightly address on Tuesday he said, 'attack drones, interceptors, cruise missiles, Ukrainian ballistic systems – these are the key elements. We must manufacture all of them.' The German defense ministry statement suggested that some of these systems may be close to deployment. 'A significant number of long-range weapons (are) to be produced within this year,' it read. 'The first of these systems could be deployed by Ukrainian armed forces in just a few weeks.' The Kremlin was quick to respond. 'This is an entirely irresponsible position of Germany. Instead of trying to support a peaceful process, they are putting fuel on the flame,' Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told CNN on Wednesday. 'They are simply trying to provoke further war, thus increasing their indirect involvement in this military affair,' he added. Germany has long been one of Ukraine's most generous supporters in terms of committed aid. In both military and humanitarian assistance, according to figures from the Kiel Institute, Germany ranks second only behind the United States. In Berlin, both Zelensky and Merz spoke about their frustration with Russia regarding peace negotiations, in particular a promise about a memorandum from Moscow following a call between Putin and US President Donald Trump on May 19, which doesn't appear to have yet materialized. Merz said: 'I would like to thank the American president in recent weeks. Moscow on the other hand is playing for time. The memorandum still has not been shared.' Germany's leader added that that recent attacks across Ukraine 'speak the language of aggression.'
RTÉ News
a day ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Doherty says Govt 'incompetence' putting housing developments at risk
Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty has said the Government's incompetence is putting the development of thousands of homes at risk. He said that two senior civil servants have now sounded the alarm around huge infrastructure deficits. There is a lack of capacity in both water services and the electricity grid, Mr Doherty said. "Money is not the problem, so the problem must be the incompetence and decisions made over and over again," he said. Tánaiste Simon Harris responded saying that housing is the biggest domestic challenge the country faces. Mr Harris said more than 133,000 new build homes were delivered between 2020 and 2024. He told the Dáil that Government would speed up the delivery of planning and provide more funding for water and electricity to deliver 300,000 new homes. The Tánaiste said he would not take a lecture from Sinn Féin on water and he accused the party of misleading people about the Government's intentions around Uisce Éireann. O'Callaghan questions Tánaiste on assessments waiting list Meanwhile, Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O'Callaghan pressed the Tánaiste on the Government's lack of action since a court judgment three years ago outlawed the accelerated procedure for assessments of need. He said the coalition had failed to respond to the crisis in the area with 15,000 children now waiting for assessments. Mr O'Callaghan said this was having a huge impact and the list was forecast to grow to 25,000 by the end of the year. Mr Harris said there was an agreed way forward by Government and the legislation would be amended. He said he believed that clinicians should decide the length of time for assessments. Mr Harris added that one-third of children who go through the assessment of need process are told they do not have a disability and he said these children needed clarity more quickly.
