O’HANLON REQUESTS PRESENTATION ON HOMELESSNESS IN MONAGHAN FROM HOUSING SECTION

By Veronica Corr

At the November meeting of Monaghan County Council, Councillor Noel Keelan mentioned that people were sleeping in tents in fields and in cars around urban centres. At Monday’s meeting of Carrickmacross/Castleblayney Municipal District, Cathaoirleach PJ O’Hanlon said that he was “taken aback” at hearing that people were sleeping in Carrickmacross fields. He then referred to a detailed statement from the Housing Section with regard to homelessness in the county. Furthermore, Councillor O’Hanlon proposed that the Housing Section be invited into a meeting to discuss homelessness in County Monaghan. Councillor Keelan seconded, stating that there was a homelessness crisis, like he had never witnessed before, in a quarter of a century in public life. People were sleeping rough. He conceded that the issue was very complex and highlighted the need for wrap-around services of relevant supports from the HSE, mental health service etc., in addition to housing for the vulnerable. The Housing and Homelessness Section within the local authority, were complemented as being compassionate, empathetic and proactive. Councillor Colm Carthy noted that people had to present to the County Council as homeless in order to be reflected in the figures, stating that the aforementioned statement was factually correct. It was unanimously agreed that the Housing Section would be invited to an upcoming meeting of Carrickmacross/ Castleblayney Municipal District.