'Task force is needed to address issue of homelessness' - White

A Laytown/Bettystown councillor and general election candidate has told of how experiencing homelessness as a child had a "detrimental impact" and has called for a task force on the issue to be established in Co Meath.

Sinn Fein Cllr Maria White put forward the motion calling on Meath Co Council to establish a task force to tackle homelessness at Monday's full council meeting.

Speaking afterwards, Cllr White said that homelessness has a detrimental impact on those who live through it, something she knows all too well.

"I experienced homelessness as a child myself and while it was for a very brief time I will never forget sitting at the side of the road with our belongings around us and would not wish this on any child or individual," she said.

"I will do whatever is in my power to try alleviate this issue and work towards ensuring those at risk of or experiencing homelessness are supported as best as possible," added White.

"While I accept there is a plan somewhat in the form of the Mid East Region Homeless Action Plan 2024-2026, I must point out this plan covers three counties, a big and diverse geographical area.

"I believe we need a task force to consider in depth the homelessness context of our county in order for the council to deal effectively with the issue that is unfortunately increasing.

Cllr White points out that having worked in Focus Ireland before her career in education she has a deep understanding of this issue. She added:

"An analysis in 2022 confirmed HAP did not meet the market value for rent in the Mid East region. Two years on do we have data as to how many renters this affects in Meath?

"Do we know how many renters in receipt of HAP are having to supplement this payment, leaving them very vulnerable and at risk of homelessness? If we do not know this information we do not have a clear picture of homelessness in our county, we therefore cannot plan for it accordingly and are then not best placed to address the issues."

In addition, the Sinn Fein Cllr put forward a motion calling on Meath Co Council to write to the Minister for Justice in relation to the need for increased Garda resources in Meath.

"It is a source of great frustration and anger to communities in Meath that we as a county have the lowest number of Garda per head of population in the country, this is not a statistic to be proud of," said White.

" Communities and businesses feel intimidated, the elderly, women and girls and those from minority groups are changing aspects of their lifestyle due to their fears," she added.

"Some people have stopped reporting crime as they feel there is no response or a delayed/late response from Gardai and we will all have heard about anti-social behaviour on public transport.

"While Garda resourcing is outside of our control the council does at times have to deal with the consequences of anti-social behaviour and crime such as cleaning of graffiti, repairing intentionally damaged playground equipment, bus shelters, public spaces.

"This puts unfair pressure on our services and our resources."