Sticking plaster solution to homeless is useless

Irish politicians are belatedly addressing the homeless problem but why did it take the death of Jonathan Corrie on the Government’s doorstep to get action?

The failure of Irish politicians in successive governments has played a substantial role in the homeless problem. The homeless don’t vote because voting cards don’t get delivered to their cardboard boxes nor do they lobby politicians.

The decision to close down mental health institutions was only justified if adequate alternative state and community mental health services replaced the institutions. Politicians bear responsibility for favouring the most influential. Alcohol and drug abusers are among the most vulnerable in our society, yet our politicians refuse to take on Ireland’s greatest drug purveyors, the alcohol industry.