Concerns over homeless facility
THERE are concerns about the information provided to the local community about the new homeless facility in Bray.
Members expressed concerns voiced by residents of the Sidmonton Road area in relation to the new homeless facility at San Remo in Bray during the June meeting of Wicklow County Council.
Cllr Erica Doyle (Green) highlighted the importance of the provision of homelessness services in Bray. She said she was concerned for those who don’t have a home and were at risk because they had no space.
There is an ‘urgent need for an adequate housing facility’, she said, adding that residents near the proposed new centre at San Remo in Bray felt they were not receiving sufficient information and engagement from the Simon community about the project.
Cllr Doyle highlighted a number of questions residents had raised about the project including the status of the sale of San Remo, the setting up of a liaison committee and a point of contact for concerns.
Information could help to reduce concern about this ‘important and needed’ project, Cllr Doyle concluded.
Cllr Aoife Flynn Kennedy (FG) said she had also been contacted by residents requesting information about the San Remo sale.
The current cold weather initiative was not suitable and new measures needed to be put in place until the facility was up and running. Cllr Flynn Kennedy also asked for more details about the number of children staying in B and B accommodation.
Cllr Melanie Corrigan (FG) said she supported the San Remo project, however, residents of the area wanted more information. She suggested there was a need to work with the community and highlighted the importance of the liaison committee.
Cllr Anne Ferris (Lab) said residents of the area had expressed concerns that the liaison committee would not be set up until the facility was up and running.
Due to time constraints at the meeting, Frank Curran, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, said council staff would respond in writing to the concerns raised by councillors.