Councils position on Hunger Strike for accomodation protest
Back to List28/04/2005
Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.
South Dublin County
Re: Protest by David Glover and Roisin O Callaghan - Councils Position following news article
“Dads Hunger Strike Vow†The Star 26th April
South Dublin County Councils Scheme of Letting Priorities, as adopted by Council, sets out the basis on which housing applications are assessed. Points are awarded under 14 separate categories that range from unfitness of existing accommodation, length of time on the list, overcrowding, number of children etc. Under the scheme priority status can be awarded to those applicants where exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated.
Once points are awarded, allocations are made on the basis of need and preference. In this case, of the 22 preference options within the Clondalkin area, David Glover and Roisin O Callaghan had expressed a preference for one of two estates in north Clondalkin. This preference restricted the Council to considering only those houses that might come available within those two estates.
In the two estates chosen, the Council is currently on site with 27 houses that will become available in February 2006. Aside from these, any other existing houses may only become vacant through the death, abandonment, vacation or eviction of an existing tenant. The Council is not in a position to predict such an event and can therefore give no commitments on the availability of a house prior to the completion of those houses currently under construction.
Given their initial preference it is clear that there is likely to be a waiting time.
In any case where priority status is granted the applicant is put to the top of their relevant list and they are allocated the next available house that fits their need and preference.
Priority status is not awarded lightly as it is incumbent on the Council to ensure that the Allocations system is operated in a manner that is fair to all applicants. The Council has an obligation to all to ensure that priority is only awarded where that status is merited. In this regard, thorough investigations are carried out where the circumstances of the applicant are examined.
David and Roisin’s case is being investigated in the same thorough manner as are all such claims for priority.
Current Status
South Dublin County Council housing staff met with David and Roisin on Monday and Tuesday of this week in relation to their Homeless status. A further meeting is planned with the couple later this week.
David and Roisin, in the meeting held at the Council’s Clondalklin office yesterday (26 April), have now decided to broaden their preference to the Clondalkin area generally. This has substantially increased the options available to the Council.
The Council is reviewing the implications of David and Roisin’s new preferences and will discuss them with the couple at a meeting to be held in Clondalkin tomorrow.
Further information from the Office of the Director of Housing, Contact Mr John Quinliven SEO Housing @ 4149090