Young mother with 4-month old baby on the streets

Basically, a young mum with a four-month-old baby was refused emergency accommodation, and was staying on the street when spotted by a Rough Sleeping group, which visits rough sleepers at night time.

http://www.broadsheet.ie/2016/06/23/turned-away-2/

“I want to raise the issue of homelessness with you, Tánaiste, and I want to do so in telling you about Áine. She’s an 18-year-old young woman and on Tuesday of this week, she presented as homeless to her local council, along with her partner and their four-month infant daughter.”

“The council refused to accept that she was genuinely in need of emergency accommodation and she was turned away. At 4.30pm that afternoon she rang the freephone number but no emergency accommodation was available. At 9pm that night she again to be told that there was still no emergency accommodation.”

“Eventually, at 12.30am, standing outside Heuston Station, shivering and holding her infant child, she was collected by the Rough Sleepers Team and brought to a hostel.”

“Now Áine, Tanaiste, is just one of 10 families turned away from local authorities on that day, on Tuesday, only later to be accommodated throughout the Rough Sleepers Team. The last of the families wasn’t accommodate until 1.30am in the morning.”

“Yesterday, Áine returned to her local council only to be turned away again. She was eventually accommodated by the freephone at 8pm in the night and, as we speak Tanaiste, this young woman is yet again on her way back to her local authority not knowing where she and her family will sleep tonight.”

Think for a moment about the 8th amendment, whereby the State seeks to preserve the lives of unborn children, yet shows scarce interest in child welfare once a child is born.

There are less children living in poverty in places like Poland than there are in Ireland. We have 135,000 children living in poverty.

Yet we have some of the most comfortable pensioners in the EU.

Babies don't vote.

HensVassal

Every night in Cuba, millions of children go to bed. None of them without a roof over their heads.

Sam Kade

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

Basically, a young mum with a four-month-old baby was refused emergency accommodation, and was staying on the street when spotted by a Rough Sleeping group, which visits rough sleepers at night time.

http://www.broadsheet.ie/2016/06/23/turned-away-2/

“I want to raise the issue of homelessness with you, Tánaiste, and I want to do so in telling you about Áine. She’s an 18-year-old young woman and on Tuesday of this week, she presented as homeless to her local council, along with her partner and their four-month infant daughter.”

“The council refused to accept that she was genuinely in need of emergency accommodation and she was turned away. At 4.30pm that afternoon she rang the freephone number but no emergency accommodation was available. At 9pm that night she again to be told that there was still no emergency accommodation.”

“Eventually, at 12.30am, standing outside Heuston Station, shivering and holding her infant child, she was collected by the Rough Sleepers Team and brought to a hostel.”

“Now Áine, Tanaiste, is just one of 10 families turned away from local authorities on that day, on Tuesday, only later to be accommodated throughout the Rough Sleepers Team. The last of the families wasn’t accommodate until 1.30am in the morning.”

“Yesterday, Áine returned to her local council only to be turned away again. She was eventually accommodated by the freephone at 8pm in the night and, as we speak Tanaiste, this young woman is yet again on her way back to her local authority not knowing where she and her family will sleep tonight.”

Think for a moment about the 8th amendment, whereby the State seeks to preserve the lives of unborn children, yet shows scarce interest in child welfare once a child is born.

There are less children living in poverty in places like Poland than there are in Ireland. We have 135,000 children living in poverty.

Yet we have some of the most comfortable pensioners in the EU.

Babies don't vote.

Most comfortable pensioners on €230/week, yeah right.

smash

To be honest, I'm insure about how I feel regarding your closing comments. Yes homelessness is an issue and it needs to be dealt with quick. But we also have an incredibly generous social welfare system in this state.

If I had my way I'd boot those who can afford to rent privately out of social housing projects to open them up for those who are actually are in need.

JustTheOne

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

Basically, a young mum with a four-month-old baby was refused emergency accommodation, and was staying on the street when spotted by a Rough Sleeping group, which visits rough sleepers at night time.

http://www.broadsheet.ie/2016/06/23/turned-away-2/

“I want to raise the issue of homelessness with you, Tánaiste, and I want to do so in telling you about Áine. She’s an 18-year-old young woman and on Tuesday of this week, she presented as homeless to her local council, along with her partner and their four-month infant daughter.”

“The council refused to accept that she was genuinely in need of emergency accommodation and she was turned away. At 4.30pm that afternoon she rang the freephone number but no emergency accommodation was available. At 9pm that night she again to be told that there was still no emergency accommodation.”

“Eventually, at 12.30am, standing outside Heuston Station, shivering and holding her infant child, she was collected by the Rough Sleepers Team and brought to a hostel.”

“Now Áine, Tanaiste, is just one of 10 families turned away from local authorities on that day, on Tuesday, only later to be accommodated throughout the Rough Sleepers Team. The last of the families wasn’t accommodate until 1.30am in the morning.”

“Yesterday, Áine returned to her local council only to be turned away again. She was eventually accommodated by the freephone at 8pm in the night and, as we speak Tanaiste, this young woman is yet again on her way back to her local authority not knowing where she and her family will sleep tonight.”

Think for a moment about the 8th amendment, whereby the State seeks to preserve the lives of unborn children, yet shows scarce interest in child welfare once a child is born.

There are less children living in poverty in places like Poland than there are in Ireland. We have 135,000 children living in poverty.

Yet we have some of the most comfortable pensioners in the EU.

Babies don't vote.

Why did she and her partner decide to have a baby when they have no adequate accommodation for the baby?

I'm sorry but it's the attitude of I'm entitled to everything but don't have to take responsibility for my actions.

smash

JustTheOne wrote: »

Why did she and her partner decide to have a baby

I doubt they decided to get pregnant. This bullshít line needs to stop.

tomwaterford

JustTheOne wrote: »

Why did she and her partner decide to have a baby when they have no adequate accommodation for the baby?

I'm sorry but it's the attitude of I'm entitled to everything but don't have to take responsibility for my actions.

Bull****

In no world is right to put people with young babies out onto the streets

eviltwin

JustTheOne wrote: »

Why did she and her partner decide to have a baby when they have no adequate accommodation for the baby?

I'm sorry but it's the attitude of I'm entitled to everything but don't have to take responsibility for my actions.

Well that ship has sailed, the child is here, no use asking why they didn't use contraception or have an abortion now. The important thing is getting this sorted. I was homeless at that age while I was pregnant, I didn't have to sleep rough thankfully but it was a horrible time so I feel for them. We don't know what situation they are in. They might just need some help getting back on their feet.

Little CuChulainn

I'd be more interested in why the council did not accept she was genuine. Might there be more to this story than this fourth hand account has revealed?

Sam Kade

Sam Kade wrote: »

Most comfortable pensioners on €230/week, yeah right.

The OECD says that when you account for Irish pensioners non-cash benefits (housing, medical care and eldecare), the value of their supports increases by about 40%, leaving the value at about 322 euro per week.

This isn't a lot of money, but it's well above average by OECD standards.

We have very low pensioner poverty by OECD standards, and high child poverty by OECD standards.

JustTheOne

smash wrote: »

I doubt they decided to get pregnant. This bullshít line needs to stop.

Ever hear of planning?

The pill, condoms?

This its not your fault good will hunting line with a hug needs to stop.

There is no excuse these days to get pregnant without been able to provide for your baby.

It's negligence.

JustTheOne

Little CuChulainn wrote: »

I'd be more interested in why the council did not accept she was genuine. Might there be more to this story than this fourth hand account has revealed?

Of course there is.

Doesn't stop the outraged brigade jumping on the bandwagon and blaming enda for these having a baby without any planning ahead.

Speedwell

JustTheOne wrote: »

Ever hear of planning?

The pill, condoms?

This its not your fault good will hunting line with a hug needs to stop.

There is no excuse these days to get pregnant without been able to provide for your baby.

It's negligence.

Because, you know, nothing ever happens in the nine months between getting pregnant (accidentally, on purpose, or through coercion) and actually having the baby, or between the baby's birth and four months later.

Stheno

Little CuChulainn wrote: »

I'd be more interested in why the council did not accept she was genuine. Might there be more to this story than this fourth hand account has revealed?

Most likely she had alternatives such as staying with family?

mickmackmcgoo

JustTheOne wrote:

I'm sorry but it's the attitude of I'm entitled to everything but don't have to take responsibility for my actions.

Maybe you should know the facts and circumstances of why they ended up homeless before you make your judgemental and assuming comment

AnonoBoy

JustTheOne wrote: »

Why did she and her partner decide to have a baby when they have no adequate accommodation for the baby?

She only presented as homeless when the child was four months old. That's over a year since she got pregnant. A lot can happen in a year.

People have houses and apartments and rooms before they become homeless. It's a situation that happens to you generally, not one you plan.

They didn't sit down and say, "Maybe let's not have a kid, I see homelessness on our horizon."

You really don't know the first thing about her or her situation but yet you automatically presume that she has some sort of sense of entitlement?

Big whoop for the empathy pal. You should become a politician with that caring attitude.

c montgomery

tomwaterford wrote: »

Bull****

In no world is right to put people with young babies out onto the streets

Where did they come from? Majority of 18 yo live with their parents.

The Raptor

JustTheOne wrote: »

Why did she and her partner decide to have a baby when they have no adequate accommodation for the baby?

I'm sorry but it's the attitude of I'm entitled to everything but don't have to take responsibility for my actions.

That's a nasty thing to say.

It's too late to go back, the baby is here. I'm sure they would love to provide for their child but they have no means to or a roof to keep dry at night.

Saddest thing i have read all day.

tomwaterford

c montgomery wrote: »

Where did they come from? Majority of 18 yo live with their parents.

Doubt that...with collage etc

c montgomery

Little CuChulainn wrote: »

I'd be more interested in why the council did not accept she was genuine. Might there be more to this story than this fourth hand account has revealed?

Exactly !!!

JustTheOne

mickmackmcgoo wrote: »

Maybe you should know the facts and circumstances of why they ended up homeless before you make your judgemental and assuming comment

Go on then tell me?

I can guess. Both unemployed, got pregnant, want a free house , weren't getting it so went homeless to speed up the process and play the bleeding heart brigade like puppets.

All nicely funded by hard working tax payers crippled by mortgage payments each month.

AnonoBoy

Little CuChulainn wrote: »

I'd be more interested in why the council did not accept she was genuine. Might there be more to this story than this fourth hand account has revealed?

Think she was trying to scam her way into that sweet sweet emergency accommodation?

c montgomery

tomwaterford wrote: »

Doubt that...with collage etc

We'll I don't Tom:)

Saipanne

To all the outraged people. Do you have a spare room? Use that giant heart of yours to perform a truly heroic deed. Take them in. Feed them. Let them sleep under stars, no more!

You can do it.

Speedwell

JustTheOne wrote: »

Go on then tell me?

I can guess. Both unemployed, got pregnant, want a free house , weren't getting it so went homeless to speed up the process and play the bleeding heart brigade like puppets.

All nicely funded by hard working tax payers crippled by mortgage payments each month.

If you think being poor and homeless with a little baby to take care of is such a cushy, desirable, enviable thing to be, I fervently, devoutly, and sincerely hope you get to enjoy that status for the rest of your life. I will even be happy to pay my share of taxes to make sure you get your state-sanctioned assistance and no more.

JustTheOne

The Raptor wrote: »

That's a nasty thing to say.

It's too late to go back, the baby is here. I'm sure they would love to provide for their child but they have no means to or a roof to keep dry at night.

Saddest thing i have read all day.

Ah well.

I'm speaking what many are thinking.

20 billion a year on welfare. No wonder health education etc are suffering.

c montgomery

JustTheOne wrote: »

Go on then tell me?

I can guess. Both unemployed, got pregnant, want a free house , weren't getting it so went homeless to speed up the process and play the bleeding heart brigade like puppets.

All nicely funded by hard working tax payers crippled by mortgage payments each month.

Exactly, a well worn road.

eviltwin

JustTheOne wrote: »

Ah well.

I'm speaking what many are thinking.

20 billion a year on welfare. No wonder health education etc are suffering.

So.....we just leave them to sleep on the street then?

Saipanne

Saipanne wrote: »

To all the outraged people. Do you have a spare room? Use that giant heart if yours to perform a truly heroic deed. Take them in. Feed them. Let's them sleep under stars, no more!

You can do it.

We pay taxes so that others can provide specialist services that we are not equipped to handle.

I think it's dreadful to see overcrowded classrooms, but I'm not going to start inviting children 'round for lessons. I'm not equipped for that role, nevermind providing homeless people with the full complement of social supports they usually require.

AnonoBoy

eviltwin wrote: »

So.....we just leave them to sleep on the street then?

Reminds me of that old campaign slogan:

"F*ck the poor.

Vote Fianna Fáil!"

JustTheOne

eviltwin wrote: »

So.....we just leave them to sleep on the street then?

I'm sure they had accommodation.

The council will never turn you down. They will always put you up somewhere.

But people like this make the situation more drastic to get themselves ahead for a house.

Why don't you take them in if you're so concerned?

Your Face

Let them eat cake.

Mr McBoatface

eviltwin wrote: »

So.....we just leave them to sleep on the street then?

Why not set an example to her and her like.

If she can't provide a home the child should be taken of her and she can go about correcting her life and becoming a contributor to society.

selastich2

Will the child be fostered until they sort themselves out?

Speedwell

JustTheOne wrote: »

I'm sure they had accommodation.

The council will never turn you down. They will always put you up somewhere.

But people like this make the situation more drastic to get themselves ahead for a house.

Why don't you take them in if you're so concerned?

If you want so badly to get ahead for a house in the same way they did, why don't you go get yours?

The Raptor

JustTheOne wrote: »

Go on then tell me?

I can guess. Both unemployed, got pregnant, want a free house , weren't getting it so went homeless to speed up the process and play the bleeding heart brigade like puppets.

All nicely funded by hard working tax payers crippled by mortgage payments each month.

Ah, so you're paying a mortgage. Is this why you're coming across as cold and bitter.

A free house? So they go out and get knocked up.

Having a baby is the last thing you think of at 18 years old.

I'm sure they would rather drink they're dole money instead.

JustTheOne

Speedwell wrote: »

If you want so badly to get ahead for a house in the same way they did, why don't you go get yours?

Because I have respect dignity pride and I don't ask what my country can do for me but what can I do for my country.

JustTheOne

JustTheOne wrote: »

The council will never turn you down. They will always put you up somewhere.

I was told personally by a friend who works on Parkgate Street in the homeless person's unit, about a woman presenting as homeless on a particular evening.

She had one child in a buggy, and another small child by the hand. They had no place to stay, and the council were out of beds, so my friend had to inform her that if she still had no place to sleep that night, to take her two children to a Garda station, and there to sleep in a cell.

Spanish Eyes

Saipanne wrote: »

To all the outraged people. Do you have a spare room? Use that giant heart of yours to perform a truly heroic deed. Take them in. Feed them. Let them sleep under stars, no more!

You can do it.

The migrants took all those spare rooms, sadly. It was FaceBook's fault.

eviltwin

JustTheOne wrote: »

I'm sure they had accommodation.

The council will never turn you down. They will always put you up somewhere.

But people like this make the situation more drastic to get themselves ahead for a house.

Why don't you take them in if you're so concerned?

I don't have a spare room, if I did I would have no problem helping someone out. I've done it in the past. I think you're attitude stinks. I was in a similar situation to that girl in my teens. With state support I was able to get things together. I'm a tax payer and a home owner now so people can change things but they need help first.

JustTheOne

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

I was told personally by a friend who works on Parkgate Street in the homeless person's unit, about a woman presenting as homeless on a particular evening.

She had one child in a buggy, and another small child by the hand. They had no place to stay, and the council were out of beds, so my friend had to inform her that if she still had no place to sleep that night, to take her two children to a Garda station, and there to sleep in a cell.

Ive plenty of those friends with stories too.

Speedwell

JustTheOne wrote: »

Because I have respect dignity pride and I don't ask what my country can do for me but what can I do for my country.

You ask what you can do for your country, with a sneer and a whinge.

Saipanne

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

The migrants took all those spare rooms, sadly. It was FaceBook's fault.

How are Geldofs clan doing? I can only presume he followed through on his pledge.

selastich2

I think it should be said if their parents also are being housed by the local authority and if this is the cashing in their inheritance, so to speak, or dowry if you prefer.

AnonoBoy

JustTheOne wrote: »

Because I have respect dignity pride and I don't ask what my country can do for me but what can I do for my country.

And what pray tell have you done for your country other than look down on those less fortunate than you?

Cause it sounds to me like you have an inability to see anything other than through your own narrow life experience.

saywhatyousee

JustTheOne wrote: »

Ah well.

I'm speaking what many are thinking.

20 billion a year on welfare. No wonder health education etc are suffering.

Most of it on pensions and child benefit which not a lot can be done about without major political implications. The dole is about 1.8 billion so about 8% of the social welfare budget the way people go on here you would swear we spending 20 billion on the dole

eviltwin

jobyrne30 wrote: »

Why not set an example to her and her like.

If she can't provide a home the child should be taken of her and she can go about correcting her life and becoming a contributor to society.

Does that apply to anyone who finds themselves in this situation?

groucho marx

Some very judgemental people out there. Glad I'm not down on my luck and asking for much at the minute.

Galwayguy35

I'd like to hear the full story here instead of the bits and pieces we are getting in the OP.

I don't believe for one second someone would be left out on the street if their situation was known about, they would be given somewhere to stay, even if it wasn't ideal it would be out of the rain and cold.

Mr McBoatface

eviltwin wrote: »

Does that apply to anyone who finds themselves in this situation?

A made up situation where someone pretends to be homeless in an attempt to get a free house..... Yes the Kids should be taken off them

eviltwin

jobyrne30 wrote: »

A made up situation where someone pretends to be homeless in an attempt to get a free house..... Yes the Kids should be taken off them

Do you have information about this couple the public doesn't know?