Thousands want site sale to benefit homeless

More than 20,000 people believe the proceeds of a government property deal should be donated to Dublin’s homeless, it will be claimed today.

Anti-poverty agency Street Seen says that Dublin City Council will get a €100m windfall when it sells off the UCD veterinary site in Ballsbridge.

Campaigners will today deliver a petition to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern with 20,000 signatures calling for the sale proceeds to be diverted to projects for the homeless.

The sale of this site takes place later today.

“The level of support from the public has been incredible,” said Street Seen spokesman Mark Grehan.

“Over 20,000 people in Dublin have joined in our demand for the Government to hand over the proceeds of the sale to Dublin City Council to eradicate homelessness.”

“That money is desperately needed in the fight against homelessness. Homelessness is a social problem that requires a political solution, and most importantly the political will to implement the solution.

“To date the Government has not shown the political will. Handing over the proceeds of the sale would send a signal to the homeless community that the Government is finally beginning to seriously address this issue.”

One homeless man said: “People are dying on our streets and the Government doesn’t seem to care. The huge numbers of the public who have signed this petition shows that we have a large support.”