City council ‘stands by’ homelessness director who blamed volunteers
DUBLIN City Council will “fully stand by” a homelessness chief who sparked outrage when she criticised volunteers giving out food and clothing on the streets.
Eileen Gleeson said this did not help in the long term, suggesting homelessness was caused by “bad behaviour” and that many were “quite happy to continue with the chaotic lifestyle they have”.
The director of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) questioned whether the “ad hoc” groups were doing more harm than good. Campaigner Fr Peter McVerry said he was “very concerned” by the effect this could have on wider society’s view of homelessness.
Ms Gleeson backtracked on her initial comments, telling Newstalk she “could have probably used better language”.
But a Dublin City Council spokesman last night confirmed that it “fully stands by” the comments which were made at a joint policing committee.
“Eileen Gleeson’s presentation outlined the homeless services provided by the DRHE in partnership with a range of regulated homeless charities.
“Dublin City Council recognises the genuine commitment of the significant amount of voluntary work carried out across the city, as people seek to provide additional help for homeless people. The complexities of homelessness need to be understood and acknowledged by all those involved in responding to homelessness, particularly those that operate, plan and develop services.
“We would encourage all volunteers to engage with the voluntary structure network that already exists across the regulated homeless charities.”
SVP spokesman Jim Walsh said: “Comments like these take away the incentive to treat homelessness as a crisis and the need to do something about it.
“There is a multitude of different reasons why people are homeless. But the real problem is that comments like these normalise the situation.”
Anthony Flynn, from the Inner City Homelessness charity, added: “We’ve seen comments made from Taoiseach, Minister Damien English, Minister [Eoghan] Murphy and now Eileen Gleeson and the directive seems to be the homeless are at fault.”
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was criticised at a meeting of party TDs and senators for the first time since taking over as leader.
A number of TDs last night warned that the language being used by Mr Varadkar and some ministers when talking about homelessness were not sitting well with the public. The meeting heard of concerns that Fine Gael would be portrayed as a party “lacking in compassion”.
It has also emerged Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy visited rough sleepers in Dublin, despite the Government downplaying the crisis. Mr Murphy spent Monday night with homeless volunteers.
Fr McVerry said Mr Murphy would have repeat the visit for six months to have any effect.