Phil Flynn, trade union boss-turned business troubleshooter has a proven track record in solving industrial disputes. He now heads the Government’s controversial decentralisation strategy. KYRAN FITZGERALD reports.

THE Simon Community yesterday urged businesses to help fight homelessness. The ‘House of Cards’ Appeal campaign encourages businesses not to send Christmas cards, but instead make a donation to Simon.

The Government today rejected claims it was not doing enough to help homeless people and said the issue had always been a top priority.

It had some worthy objectives and recognised that homelessness is not just about

MORE people than ever are sleeping rough because the Government has reneged on its pledge to tackle a homeless crisis, charity groups said yesterday.

GANGS of young thugs are targeting homeless people for “kicks”, according to the Simon Community.

New figures released this morning show that a quarter of homeless people in Dublin who used the Simon Community’s Emergency shelters last year suffer from a mental illness.