Concern over help for homeless over winter

FOLLOWING a presentation to members on emergency plans for the winter weather, Cllr Mary McDonald raised concerns about the welfare of Wicklow’s homeless population during times of severe weather.

‘ The information we have received is excellent and will certainly prove life-saving for some people. However, what plans to we have for our homeless in cold weather? We have 12 people sleeping rough in Bray and upwards of four in Arklow. We have a large number of vacant properties so are there any plans to put a roof over their heads in harsh conditions? This section of the community needs to be looked after,’ she said.

Assistant Director of Services Michael Geaney said that this would be a matter for the housing department.

‘It would be up to the housing department with the HSE to provide care for people who are vulnerable or those who are evacuated as a result of severe weather conditions,’ he said. MEMBERS of Wicklow County Council received a presentation on severe weather and emergency management at Monday’s meeting to inform them of how Wicklow County Council and the emergency services will approach operations if severe bad weather or flooding occur this winter.

Assistant Director of Services Michael Geaney, Chief Fire Officer Aidan Dempsey and Civil Defence Officer Michael Richardson gave presentations on the resources available to them and how emergency situations will be responded to and managed.

Mr Geaney said that plans will be in place for incidents of flooding, frost and snow and that the flood plan will be revised for each municipal district.

He added that an out of hours emergency phone line will soon be launched which is to be monitored by a designated person who will in turn notify the emergency services.

Also, the council will have 7,500 sandbags at its disposal as well as further amounts to be deposited at various locations in each district for the public to avail of.

He said that a number of safety protocols have been put in place for working in floods, search and rescue, working in snow and in extreme and difficult weather conditions.

Should such incidents occur, County Buildings will be opened as headquaters and local centres will also be identified.

In terms of weather warnings, Mr Geaney said that the council monitors MET Eireann alerts and Wicklow is included in the colour coded alert system.

He said that ‘plenty of salt stocks’ are available and that Transport Infrastructure Ireland will be responsible for gritting the M11 and the council will look after the N81 and secondary roads.

Mr Dempsey and Mr Richardson outlined how their services will link in with the council and that a designated countywide plan has been devised, further supporter by local area action plans. A number of housing estates were formally taken in charge by Wicklow County Council at Monday’s meeting. Derrybawn, Aughrim; Convent Court, Delgany; Abbeylands, Arklow; Ashfield, Ashwood; Ashwood Court, Arklow, Delgany Glen, Delgany; Downshill Wood, Delgany; Millbrook Court, Redcross; and Millwood, Aughrim were all approved by the members.

Cathaoirleach Pat Fitzgerald welcomed the approval and thanked the officials for their timely response to the applications.