Focus Ireland Warns Government More Social Welfar Cuts In Next Week's Budget Will Increase Homeless

by Laura Sun Feb 08, 2004 00:44 lfarrell at esatclear dot ie

The problem is a bit deeper than just rent supplement. It is not even an "entitlement", its a "discretionary" benefit, which means that it is given at the "discretion" of the health board. This has led to policies like the one above.

I understand the concern about rent allowance. As a tenant in private rented accomodation I have seen massive abuse of rent supplement by antisocial scumbags who are claiming everything they can, with no intention of ever working, or working in the black economy. However, I have also come across some very genuine and needy cases who have REALLY needed this supplement.

The problem is that of entitlement and the way in which its administered. Remember that SWA comes from the health budget. They are not in the business of building homes, so they have no interest in solving the problem. Also many landlords just hike rents up to the maximum SWA level to get more money. (I reckon the Cap on rent allowance is one of the reasons for rents starting to fall). The system needs root and branch reform.

1. Housing Benefit should become a statutory entitlement, and should be granted on the basis of assessed need. There should be no room for discretion where housing is concerned - you should be entitled to it by virtue of your circumstances.

2. If its to be fairly assessed and administered, then it should be handled by local authorities in conjunction with housing provision, so that they can base housing needs directly on the information they have. This would end the huge waste of money on housing benefit that could be spent on building new homes for people on social welfare, and eventually for below average wage earners.

3. The need for housing needs to be carefully assessed - housing benefit should be based on carefully assessed need. I've seen lots of people getting rent allowance who should have been living in the family home (for example a young woman who used SWA to move out of the family home, never workerd, never went to college and ended up drifting - whilst her working friends of the same age couldn't afford to move out!) This abuse would be prevented if housing need was assessed as part of the process. This has meant that a huge amount of taxpayers money that could have been spent on the health service has been wasted on weasels who have alternatives. The result is that the entire system is now in disarray.

4. Lastly, we cannot expect the private rented sector to become a form of social housing. The sector in Ireland is very unregulated and landlords are pretty much left alone. I've seen people living in horrific conditions. I myself have spent the last 18 months demanding hot running water from my landlord, and I am a working person paying rent of €140 a week! The sector needs more careful regulation in order to encourage stability, which is not there now.

by Barney Thu Nov 27, 2003 07:04

People are infinitely better off inthis country than they were when Bertie first became Taoiseach.

He's the greatest Taoiseach Ireland has ever had, we're very lucky to have him. Mary Harney is also doing a splendid job.

Spending money on the longterm homeless is monry down the drain, tax revenue should not be spent on this, private charities would do a much better job.

by jeff Wed Nov 26, 2003 12:17

Thatcherism encourages "cutbacks" it is the core philosophy.

"Harsh decisions had to be made", one young Tory told me. However, it never "really affected me, so I don't care!"

Just remember folks, nothing lasts forver. There is an unspoken justice, real karma, not the ninties new age throwabout word, but that old saying "The worm always turns." I genuinly believe that people have so much hate for Murky Hernia, McSleazy, and Burping Aherm that those three maggots will actually die of cancer! Of course, they have the chance still to make good, and quit abusing the poor. Drop this nonsense philosophy, FF/PD,deep down you all know it's wrong. Keep with it and you will never escape the vacuum of hatred that will be directed AT YOU ALL.

Ask Uri Geller! It's true.

In the meantime, keep up the good fight, hold your patience and your resolve. Even the most bigotted fascistic cops will soon see sense. None of us shall resort to violence, Shervednazse got fecked out, right is on all decent people's side.

I