Electric items dumped in general waste
Housing market woes lead to concerning figures
HOUSEHOLDERS are dumping electrical items in general waste bins as they are not able to go beyond 5km to recycle.
The amount of electrical waste recycled at local authority centres rose by 10% last year, the equivalent of half a million small appliances, data shows.
However, a spike in the number of such items dumped in general waste bins last month has fuelled a 7% decrease in electrical recycling compared to January last year.
Waste, Electrical and Electronic Equipment chief Leo Donovan said: “Some electric products also contain hazardous materials which can cause damage to the environment and human health if improperly disposed of.”
A RESCUED orangutan with a fear of heights clings on tightly as he is given a lesson on how to climb trees during his first day at forest school.
The five-year-old ape called Kukur is thought to have developed the problem as a result of being tied up in a hut in west Borneo where he was being kept as an illegal pet.
International Animal Rescue, which liberated him, said: “We can’t replace his mother but with coaxing from keepers and the company of other young orangutans, he is developing the skills he will need to return to his rightful home in the forest.”
HOMELESSNESS among single adults has hit its highest level, new figures from the Department of Housing reveal.
The total number of homeless people rose slightly from 8,200 in December to 8,313 last month. And 2,326 of these are children in emergency accommodation.
Overall, the number of people categorised as homeless is down by 19 per cent since January 2020.
Out of the 8,313 people without a home last month, a startling 4,447 were single adults in emergency accommodation.
Dublin Simon Community said the numbers of single people entering homelessness was due to a lack of availability “especially in the Dublin housing market”.
Chief Sam Mcguinness said single people and couples are not able to compete in the current housing market.
And Focus Ireland Director of Advocacy Mike Allen said the increase in the monthly homeless figures is deeply concerning while Level Five lockdown continues.
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein housing spokesman Eoin O Broin has said the figures show a worrying increase in the number of single people accessing homeless services and highlights an urgent need for more Housing First tenancies.
He said: “The Department of Housing’s official homeless figures for January 2021 show an increase of 114 in the number of single adults accessing emergency homeless accommodation – 987 adults were accessing emergency homeless services last month.
“This is a worrying rise despite there being a ban on evictions in place.
“We need to see a commitment from this government to increase the Housing First tenancy target. The target for 2021 is 200 tenancies, this should be doubled to at least 400.”
The Department of Housing figures show the number of families in emergency accommodation has fallen with 922 accessing services – the lowest since March 2016.
Mr O Broin pointed out that while there were 2,326 children and 966 families accessing emergency accommodation last month there was no rise in family homelessness in January.
“This shows that the ban on evictions is working in terms of countering the rise of family homelessness. The Government must extend this ban until at
least the end of 2021.”
LUCY Kennedy revealed Bridgerton’s Duke of Hastings is her dream guest for the next season of Living With Lucy.
While the world has been in lockdown, the TV and radio presenter has been working behind the scenes on various new projects, including a new documentary with Virgin Media, planning the move to a brand new house and training a new puppy.
As well as day job on Radio Nova, penning her third children’s book and homeschooling her three kids, Jack, Jess and Holly.
But like 82 million others around the world, a Netflix record, Lucy revealed she made time to unwind and binge on Bridgerton in her downtime.
And it even gave her inspiration for the upcoming new series of her hit show.
Referring to the character played by breakout star and heart-throb Rege Jean Page, she told the Social Media: “I need to live with the Duke,”
“I love the Duke. I will have to convince him to live with me.”
juggling
However, with the uncertain and fluid nature of the pandemic, she revealed she is unsure of how and who can appear on the next series, as it will depend on the pandemic restrictions at the time.
Following last year’s Covidfriendly series Lodging With Lucy, which took away the element of the Dubliner entering the homes of her guests, she said: “We don’t know.
“It will be Living or Lodging but either way there are six of them happening.
“We are going to wait and see what happens.
“We don’t start filming until July so we will wait and see if it will be safe for people to fly in
or fly out.
“I know we can’t but if anyone is coming to Ireland it’s all these strict rules and regulations.”
But regardless of the title, the host insists the show will go on in some shape or form.
Lucy added: “If not there are a few people from last season that said they’ll do this season.
“So really good names. So happen I’ll be delighted.”
I need to live with the Duke. I will have to convince him
if they