13 November 1997 Edition
Celtic Tiger ignores homeless
Three generations of the Glyn family share a two bedroom flat in Canon Mooney Gardens, Ringsend, Dublin.
Vicky, aged 24, want somewhere to live to bring up her 16 month old daughter, Kayleigh. Instead, she has to share a bedroom with her daughter, brothers Ian (23) and Graham (15), and sister, Stephanie (10). Her parents, Cathleen and Paul share another bedroom.
As a single parent, Vicky wants to live near her family. Unfortunately, the Dublin Corporation claim they cannot house her anywhere in either Ringsend or Irishtown. Vicky has been on the housing list for two years and has been waiting three months for a medical certificate to be processed by the Housing Department of Dublin Corporation.
Sinn Féin representative, Daithi Doolan has been dealing with the family's case since November of last year. ``Three generations, seven people, two bedrooms. This would not be tolerated if it were in the private sector. Instead, this is local authority housing, 1997 style, in Dublin,'' he said.
The Dublin Docklands Development Authority are currently drawing up the final plans for the area.
The irony is not lost on Vicky Glyn. ``Every day I see the building of hotels and apartments. I am aware there is a multi-million pound development project for the Docklands area. I live in the Docklands area, and yet nowhere in this do I see a plan to building homes for people like me or my family''.
Across the inner city, communities are forced to live with the scourge of drugs and unemployment while the government boasts of the benefits from Ireland's Celtic Tiger economy. Families like Vicky's have long since learned not to believe such myths.
Daithi Doolan, insists that it is essential that the interests and concerns of local communities play an integral role in any local development. ``Construction and development must benefit the local community, not exclude families like the Glyns. It is time for urban renewal to accommodate the needs of local communities, with regard to housing and recreational facilities''.
Vicky, aged 24, want somewhere to live to bring up her 16 month old daughter, Kayleigh. Instead, she has to share a bedroom with her daughter, brothers Ian (23) and Graham (15), and sister, Stephanie (10). Her parents, Cathleen and Paul share another bedroom.
As a single parent, Vicky wants to live near her family. Unfortunately, the Dublin Corporation claim they cannot house her anywhere in either Ringsend or Irishtown. Vicky has been on the housing list for two years and has been waiting three months for a medical certificate to be processed by the Housing Department of Dublin Corporation.
Sinn Féin representative, Daithi Doolan has been dealing with the family's case since November of last year. ``Three generations, seven people, two bedrooms. This would not be tolerated if it were in the private sector. Instead, this is local authority housing, 1997 style, in Dublin,'' he said.
The Dublin Docklands Development Authority are currently drawing up the final plans for the area.
The irony is not lost on Vicky Glyn. ``Every day I see the building of hotels and apartments. I am aware there is a multi-million pound development project for the Docklands area. I live in the Docklands area, and yet nowhere in this do I see a plan to building homes for people like me or my family''.
Across the inner city, communities are forced to live with the scourge of drugs and unemployment while the government boasts of the benefits from Ireland's Celtic Tiger economy. Families like Vicky's have long since learned not to believe such myths.
Daithi Doolan, insists that it is essential that the interests and concerns of local communities play an integral role in any local development. ``Construction and development must benefit the local community, not exclude families like the Glyns. It is time for urban renewal to accommodate the needs of local communities, with regard to housing and recreational facilities''.