Simon warns of impact of further cuts
The Simon Communities of Ireland today warned of the devastating impact that further cuts to key funding could have on those at risk of homelessness.
The warning came during a presentation given by Simon on the issue of homelessness in Ireland o the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social and Family Affairs.
Outlining how social welfare supports including rent supplement provide vital assistance to poor and vulnerable people, spokesperson Niamh Randall said that the economic downturn has meant more and more people are at risk of becoming homeless.
"It defies logic that Simon services should suffer further cut backs at this time and we are calling on the Government to ensure that this does not happen in order to protect the needs of the most vulnerable in our society," Ms Randall said.
“We used this opportunity to remind those present of the Government’s commitments to end rough sleeping and long-term homelessness in Ireland by 2010.
"We do not want to see a roll back on the significant gains that have been made in this area in recent years," Ms Randall said.
"We need to see real action from our political leaders on both sides of the Houses of the Oireachtas in the coming months to make this a reality."
