In an attempt to tackle the housing crisis and rising homelessness in County Wicklow, Sinn Féin had a motion passed at Monday’s Wicklow County Council meeting calling on the Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton to increase the Rent Supplement rates in Wicklow and to examine the possibility of introducing rent controls in an attempt to stop unfair rent increases which are making people homeless.
Speaking after the meeting on Monday where the latest homeless figures were presented, Councillor John Brady said, “At Mondays meeting we got an update on the homeless situation in Wicklow, this was on foot of a request for the information from myself. The grim figures are no surprise and show a massive increase of homelessness in the County. To date this year 47 individuals have presented as homeless as well as 60 families consisting of 125 children. This is a shocking statistic and a damning indictment of this governments housing policies”.
Cllr Brady continued “One of the main reasons why there is a huge escalation in homeless figures is due to a chronic shortage of social housing and an over reliance on private landlords as part of the governments social housing strategy. Many private landlords are now refusing to accept Rent Supplement or partake in the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) as they can achieve higher rents on the open market. Landlords are ending contracts simply to make more money and as a result making more people homeless. The caps on Rent Supplement are also too restrictive, resulting in most properties being out of reach for people”.
Brady went onto say “Nationally a figure of 1000 homeless children has been given, the fact that 12.5% of those are in Wicklow is a frightening figure. This however shouldn't be news to anyone; two years ago I supported two homeless women who staged a sit in of the council offices in Bray in an attempt to get suitable emergency accommodation for themselves and their young children. They had been made homeless because their landlords had pulled out of the RAS scheme. Thankfully the council in Wicklow has moved away from box ticking and started to put in place more appropriate emergency accommodation for homeless people and families".
Brady concluded “It is crucial however to protect people before they are made homeless. The Sinn Féin motion that was unanimously supported at the council meeting calls on Joan Burton to increase the caps on Rent Supplement to help people stay in their current rental property and open access to others. The motion also calls on the government to look at the possibility of introducing rent regulations. When a family working full time cannot afford to rent in Wicklow, it is clear that the rental market is not fit for purpose and regulation is essential. That must start with stabilising rents. We need action from Alan Kelly and this government and not rehashed statements regurgitating old announcements promising to tackle the housing crisis, statements promising houses that never materialise”.
Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow/East Carlow john.brady@oireachtas.ie
Thursday, 14 May 2015
Wednesday, 6 May 2015
70 years to clear Social Housing waiting list in Wicklow at the Governments pace - Brady
The Wicklow Sinn Féin General Election candidate and County Councillor John Brady has said that the government’s plans to build just 50 social housing units in Wicklow this year are very disappointing given the scale of the crisis and at the current government pace it will take over 70 years to clear the social housing list in the County. He made his comments following the announcement by Minister Alan Kelly that an average of just 100 million euro will be spent building council houses over the next 3 years despite record homelessness numbers and severe housing need.
Cllr Brady said "These figures are scandalous and the Minister expects people to congratulate this government, it’s an embarrassment and very frustrating when you are working with homeless families and people struggling to keep the roof over their heads. In Wicklow we have over 3566 families on the housing waiting list and since Christmas over 70 families have presented themselves as homeless to the council in Wicklow. At this current rate it will take over 70 years to clear the current social housing list which already has families waiting for over 12 years to get a house.”
“The Government spends nearly half a billion subsidising the private market every year, in Wicklow that figure is over €30 million. Many families are being made homeless because the private market can get higher rents than either Rent Supplement or the Rental Accommodation Schemes (RAS) are giving. We have had over homeless families here in Wicklow since Christmas and many of them are still in emergency accommodation, but this government will only build 50 homes in the County this year. This is simply not good enough.”
Brady continued “We need to be moving back to building thousands of social housing units every year. Until then we are not doing nearly enough to tackle the crisis. Building 30 houses in Dunlavin and 20 in Rathdrum are welcome but fall well short of what’s needed to try tackle the crisis.”
“Instead over the next three years the government intends to plough a further 1.2 billion euro into subsidising private landlords while it builds a meager 1700 homes through local authorities. The councils are best placed to tackle this crisis and housing shortage and should be at the forefront of the solution.
“The government must refocus on funding the construction and refurbishment of council homes. The homes that are needed will not be found on the private market, where developers operating as landlords are making handsome sums in extortionate rents due to the shortage of rental properties.
Cllr Brady concluded “Sinn Féin has called for this refocus for a long time as well as an immediate 1 billion investment of additional fund from the Strategic Investment Fund which would build at least 5400 homes. We also need rent controls now to stop the flow of renters into emergency accommodation right now. Social housing construction through local authorities is the only solution to our housing crisis."
Cllr Brady said "These figures are scandalous and the Minister expects people to congratulate this government, it’s an embarrassment and very frustrating when you are working with homeless families and people struggling to keep the roof over their heads. In Wicklow we have over 3566 families on the housing waiting list and since Christmas over 70 families have presented themselves as homeless to the council in Wicklow. At this current rate it will take over 70 years to clear the current social housing list which already has families waiting for over 12 years to get a house.”
“The Government spends nearly half a billion subsidising the private market every year, in Wicklow that figure is over €30 million. Many families are being made homeless because the private market can get higher rents than either Rent Supplement or the Rental Accommodation Schemes (RAS) are giving. We have had over homeless families here in Wicklow since Christmas and many of them are still in emergency accommodation, but this government will only build 50 homes in the County this year. This is simply not good enough.”
Brady continued “We need to be moving back to building thousands of social housing units every year. Until then we are not doing nearly enough to tackle the crisis. Building 30 houses in Dunlavin and 20 in Rathdrum are welcome but fall well short of what’s needed to try tackle the crisis.”
“Instead over the next three years the government intends to plough a further 1.2 billion euro into subsidising private landlords while it builds a meager 1700 homes through local authorities. The councils are best placed to tackle this crisis and housing shortage and should be at the forefront of the solution.
“The government must refocus on funding the construction and refurbishment of council homes. The homes that are needed will not be found on the private market, where developers operating as landlords are making handsome sums in extortionate rents due to the shortage of rental properties.
Cllr Brady concluded “Sinn Féin has called for this refocus for a long time as well as an immediate 1 billion investment of additional fund from the Strategic Investment Fund which would build at least 5400 homes. We also need rent controls now to stop the flow of renters into emergency accommodation right now. Social housing construction through local authorities is the only solution to our housing crisis."
Friday, 24 April 2015
Brady commends work of Bray Summerfest volunteers
The Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District of Bray has commended the work of the volunteers of Bray Summerfest and expressed delight that the widely popular Bray Airshow and Funfair will go ahead this year, he hopes that other elements of the festival will also be added to ensure the Bray continues to be portrayed in a positive light and open to tourists.
Cllr Brady said "The Summerfest is an excellent festival that attracts tens of thousands of people to Bray on an annual basis, bringing much needed revenue to the town. There is a real need to ensure that it continues, after several weeks of uncertainty I welcome the fact that the Funfair will return this summer and also the Airshow that attracts up to 80,000 spectators, that will be the highlight of the summer in Bray. I also hope that other elements of the festival such as the music on the bandstand will also return this year".
"I've meet with the executive of Summerfest a number of times and have put forward a funding proposal to ensure that Summerfest can continue to do the great work this year and next year in promoting Bray as it has done for many years. I will continue to work with the committee and i hope that the funding proposal i put forward can be used in a positive fashion to deal with any uncertainty that the future may hold for the festival".
Cllr Brady concluded "I believe that this festival can and will continue to go from strength to strength and i look forward to working with the committee and I'm prepared to get involved with Summerfest as a volunteer".
Cllr Brady said "The Summerfest is an excellent festival that attracts tens of thousands of people to Bray on an annual basis, bringing much needed revenue to the town. There is a real need to ensure that it continues, after several weeks of uncertainty I welcome the fact that the Funfair will return this summer and also the Airshow that attracts up to 80,000 spectators, that will be the highlight of the summer in Bray. I also hope that other elements of the festival such as the music on the bandstand will also return this year".
"I've meet with the executive of Summerfest a number of times and have put forward a funding proposal to ensure that Summerfest can continue to do the great work this year and next year in promoting Bray as it has done for many years. I will continue to work with the committee and i hope that the funding proposal i put forward can be used in a positive fashion to deal with any uncertainty that the future may hold for the festival".
Cllr Brady concluded "I believe that this festival can and will continue to go from strength to strength and i look forward to working with the committee and I'm prepared to get involved with Summerfest as a volunteer".
Thursday, 23 April 2015
Brady congratulates St. Kilian's Young Social Innovators
The Cathlaoirleach of the Municipal District of Bray Councillor John Brady has congratulated the students of St.Kilians Community School who are taking part in the Young Social Innovators Initiative and have been shortlisted to present to YSI Judging Panels on 6th May for consideration for the Young Social Innovators of the Year 2015 title. The Transition year students have been doing a project on Homelessness and this week went to the Dáil to present over 2000 postcards that got signed as part of the project.
Speaking after accompanying the group to the Dáil the Cathlaoirleach John Brady said “I want to commend all the students from St.Kilians Community School on the work they have done on homelessness as part of the Young Social Innovators Initiative, I also want to praise their teacher Ms. Brophy. As part of their project on Homelessness they carried out extensive research, study and practical initiatives. One of those initiatives was to design and print thousands of postcards calling on the government to tackle the issue of homelessness. I was delighted to arrange and accompany the students to go into the Dáil to hand over the postcards.”
“In the Dáil they met with Mary Lou McDonald and Wicklow TD Anne Ferris and gave a presentation on their project, they are now writing to the Minister Alan Kelly requesting a meeting on the issue of homelessness. They have been shortlisted to present to YSI judging panels on 6th May for consideration for the Young Social Innovators of the year 2015 title. I wish them all the best on the 6th and I know that the work that the students have done has been rewarding and educational for them all and I know it has made a big impact on them.”
Speaking after accompanying the group to the Dáil the Cathlaoirleach John Brady said “I want to commend all the students from St.Kilians Community School on the work they have done on homelessness as part of the Young Social Innovators Initiative, I also want to praise their teacher Ms. Brophy. As part of their project on Homelessness they carried out extensive research, study and practical initiatives. One of those initiatives was to design and print thousands of postcards calling on the government to tackle the issue of homelessness. I was delighted to arrange and accompany the students to go into the Dáil to hand over the postcards.”
“In the Dáil they met with Mary Lou McDonald and Wicklow TD Anne Ferris and gave a presentation on their project, they are now writing to the Minister Alan Kelly requesting a meeting on the issue of homelessness. They have been shortlisted to present to YSI judging panels on 6th May for consideration for the Young Social Innovators of the year 2015 title. I wish them all the best on the 6th and I know that the work that the students have done has been rewarding and educational for them all and I know it has made a big impact on them.”
Friday, 17 April 2015
Brady will continue to find solutions to Bray Summerfest Impasse
The Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District of Bray, John Brady has said the Bray Summerfest is an important event for the people and economy of Bray that needs to continue. He stated that he will persevere to find a path to ensure the Summerfest can forge ahead with their plans and that the concerns of local residents and Councillors regarding duration, openness and transparency are addressed.
Cllr Brady said "Over the last number of weeks there has been concern and unfortunately some misinformation regarding the Summerfest following a decision that was taken by the local authority in Bray to reduce the number of days the funfair is permitted to use the publicly owned lands on the seafront. I fully support and commend the volunteers who have done and will continue to do fantastic work to promote Bray in a festival that is estimated by them to be worth up to €8m to the local economy. A proposal was put forward by Cllr Matthews to reduce the number of days for the funfair from 23 to 15 and to ensure there is full openness and transparency regarding the tendering of the seafront land and the use of substantial amounts of funding from the council. This was on foot of requests from local residents and a petition containing over 1200 signatures. The majority of Councillors supported that proposal."
"The decision to reduce the funfair does not effect the duration of the Summerfest and is only due to come into effect next year in 2016 giving over 12 months to address issues such as funding. There is no reason why the Summerfest cant continue this year as it has done in the past. On foot of requests for openness and transparency from Councillors surrounding the use of public funding and the seafront i have requested as Cathaoirleach information from the committee that hopefully will be forthcoming in the near future. I am certainly not questioning anyone involved in the executive of Summerfest regarding funding, but there needs to be full accountability. Over the last 10 years well over €600,000 in funding has come from the local authority and from payments directly to the Summerfest committee from the funfair operators for the use of the Seafront. To protect the good names of all involved in the committee and for the use of public finances a full open and transparent system needs to be put in place and i make no apologies in seeking that."
Cllr Brady concluded "I have meet with members of the executive of the Summerfest twice over the last couple of weeks. I believe there is the basis of a good resolution to this current impasse that will ensure the good work of the festival continues, the concerns of the local residents are addressed and there is full openness and transparency surrounding the tendering process for the use of the Seafront by commercial interests and the publication of full audited accounts. I look forward to hosting representatives from the Summerfest when they address the next meeting of the council and to working with them and others in finding a solution to continue to promote Bray in a positive fashion."
Cllr Brady said "Over the last number of weeks there has been concern and unfortunately some misinformation regarding the Summerfest following a decision that was taken by the local authority in Bray to reduce the number of days the funfair is permitted to use the publicly owned lands on the seafront. I fully support and commend the volunteers who have done and will continue to do fantastic work to promote Bray in a festival that is estimated by them to be worth up to €8m to the local economy. A proposal was put forward by Cllr Matthews to reduce the number of days for the funfair from 23 to 15 and to ensure there is full openness and transparency regarding the tendering of the seafront land and the use of substantial amounts of funding from the council. This was on foot of requests from local residents and a petition containing over 1200 signatures. The majority of Councillors supported that proposal."
"The decision to reduce the funfair does not effect the duration of the Summerfest and is only due to come into effect next year in 2016 giving over 12 months to address issues such as funding. There is no reason why the Summerfest cant continue this year as it has done in the past. On foot of requests for openness and transparency from Councillors surrounding the use of public funding and the seafront i have requested as Cathaoirleach information from the committee that hopefully will be forthcoming in the near future. I am certainly not questioning anyone involved in the executive of Summerfest regarding funding, but there needs to be full accountability. Over the last 10 years well over €600,000 in funding has come from the local authority and from payments directly to the Summerfest committee from the funfair operators for the use of the Seafront. To protect the good names of all involved in the committee and for the use of public finances a full open and transparent system needs to be put in place and i make no apologies in seeking that."
Cllr Brady concluded "I have meet with members of the executive of the Summerfest twice over the last couple of weeks. I believe there is the basis of a good resolution to this current impasse that will ensure the good work of the festival continues, the concerns of the local residents are addressed and there is full openness and transparency surrounding the tendering process for the use of the Seafront by commercial interests and the publication of full audited accounts. I look forward to hosting representatives from the Summerfest when they address the next meeting of the council and to working with them and others in finding a solution to continue to promote Bray in a positive fashion."
Thursday, 16 April 2015
Refurbishment work in Ballywaltrim Playground completed
The Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District of Bray, John Brady has welcomed the completion of the refurbishment and upgrade works on the playground in Ballywaltrim, Bray.
Speaking after visiting the site Councillor Bray said "Its great to see the children from the community in Ballywaltrim and further afield playing and enjoying the newly refurbished playground. The work on the playground is substantially completed. This is a huge investment in the Ballywaltrim area and we now have a brilliant top quality playground which is a great asset to the entire community".
"There are still some other works to be carried out including the installation of public lighting and some planting. I've also asked the council to paint the railings around the original playground to freshen it up."
Brady continued "I've also been in contact with the Gardaí to ensure the CCTV is trained on the playground and that there are more foot patrols in the area to ensure there is no antisocial behavior. This upgrade has come about following lobbying from the community and members of the Ballywaltrim Community Playground Committee and a huge investment by the local authority and it needs to be protected for the community."
Cllr Brady concluded "I'm delighted to have played my part along with many others in delivering this upgrade and i look forward to ensuring the other playgrounds across Wicklow are upgraded and that communities campaigning for them are successful also." Ends
Speaking after visiting the site Councillor Bray said "Its great to see the children from the community in Ballywaltrim and further afield playing and enjoying the newly refurbished playground. The work on the playground is substantially completed. This is a huge investment in the Ballywaltrim area and we now have a brilliant top quality playground which is a great asset to the entire community".
"There are still some other works to be carried out including the installation of public lighting and some planting. I've also asked the council to paint the railings around the original playground to freshen it up."
Brady continued "I've also been in contact with the Gardaí to ensure the CCTV is trained on the playground and that there are more foot patrols in the area to ensure there is no antisocial behavior. This upgrade has come about following lobbying from the community and members of the Ballywaltrim Community Playground Committee and a huge investment by the local authority and it needs to be protected for the community."
Cllr Brady concluded "I'm delighted to have played my part along with many others in delivering this upgrade and i look forward to ensuring the other playgrounds across Wicklow are upgraded and that communities campaigning for them are successful also." Ends
Wicklow County Council agree to fly the Rainbow Flag during the Wicklow Pride Festival
Sinn Féin Councillor and General Election candidate John Brady has expressed delight that his proposal to fly the Rainbow flag from the Wicklow County Council Buildings in Wicklow Town to coincide with the Wicklow Pride Festival that takes place in the County in June and July.
Speaking after the decision to fly the flag Councillor Brady said “I’m delighted that a decision was taken by the protocol committee of the Council to support my proposal to fly the Rainbow Flag from the County Buildings to coincide with the Wicklow Pride Festival that takes place from 29th June to 4th July. I believe it’s an important decision and makes a powerful statement that the council is committed to working to do all that it can to tackle hate crime and discrimination and supports inclusiveness and diversity.”
Cllr Brady went onto say “The rainbow flag was popularised as a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) pride and diversity by San Franciscan artist Gilbert Baker in 1978. The different colours symbolize diversity in the gay community, and the flag is used predominantly at gay pride events worldwide.”
Cllr Brady concluded “It would be great if the Municipal District offices around the County would follow suit and fly the flag also. It would make a strong statement that Wicklow stands for equality, something I as a republican strive for and the reason why Sinn Féin are calling for a yes vote in the marriage equality referendum.” Ends
Speaking after the decision to fly the flag Councillor Brady said “I’m delighted that a decision was taken by the protocol committee of the Council to support my proposal to fly the Rainbow Flag from the County Buildings to coincide with the Wicklow Pride Festival that takes place from 29th June to 4th July. I believe it’s an important decision and makes a powerful statement that the council is committed to working to do all that it can to tackle hate crime and discrimination and supports inclusiveness and diversity.”
Cllr Brady went onto say “The rainbow flag was popularised as a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) pride and diversity by San Franciscan artist Gilbert Baker in 1978. The different colours symbolize diversity in the gay community, and the flag is used predominantly at gay pride events worldwide.”
Cllr Brady concluded “It would be great if the Municipal District offices around the County would follow suit and fly the flag also. It would make a strong statement that Wicklow stands for equality, something I as a republican strive for and the reason why Sinn Féin are calling for a yes vote in the marriage equality referendum.” Ends
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