I just got offer council house from hell !

SUZY316 · 18-02-2011 6:16pm #1

Hello i'm a 33 year old women settled the my partner and 3 kids in waterford, today we got a letter from the council saying we were offered a house

, we were delighted until we found out the neighbors:eek:. a single mother/druggie who has wild partys with her 4 kids there plus she has her boyfriend living on the sly with her Who is a career criminal ,No joking this man is scum drug dealer convicted suspect in several shootings and got with stolen guns after breaking into a farmers house . this man is no stranger to jail .:(

So here's my problem's PLEASE/ADVISE ME

1) If i refuse will my rent allowance be taking off me ?

2)Will i get another offer as the is a few house empty at the minute ?

3) Will i be taken of the list ?

Thank you !

snubbleste · 18-02-2011 6:34pm

Um what is wrong with the house? You seem to be complaining about someone else's lifestyle.

You'd need to contact your local authority and see what their policies are on refusal of accomodation.

Eric Cartman · 18-02-2011 6:36pm

Free housing is never going to be great housing , contact your council and see, I think you can turn down 1 offer.

You could also try applying for a few jobs so you could live where you want

ronan125 · 18-02-2011 6:42pm

Eric Cartman wrote: »

Free housing is never going to be great housing , contact your council and see, I think you can turn down 1 offer.

Gummy Panda · 18-02-2011 6:59pm

ronan125 wrote: »

Now Now Now Eric - You dont expect people to have to work to be able to get a house do you now... sure are we not all entitled to free houses in any area we like.

OP I suggest you march down to the council, say you could not possibly live in that house and demand a 5 bed detached house in the most affluent area nearest to you.

I know. How unreasonable of her to expect the council to police their social housing and not have her kids exposed to drug dealing so close nearby?

mikemac · 18-02-2011 7:00pm

Anyway, every council has different policies, the ones I'm familiar with give you one refusal before you get shunted back to the end of the list

Eric Cartman · 18-02-2011 7:26pm

Gummy Panda wrote: »

I know. How unreasonable of her to expect the council to police their social housing and not have her kids exposed to drug dealing so close nearby?

if theres nothing wrong with the house itself then she should take it and be thankful, if she doesnt take it some other family may have to , if she used a bit of initiative she could contact the council about the neighbour and have her evicted, but then again, if she used a bit of initiative maybee shed have her own house

Tom1991 · 18-02-2011 7:33pm

Reporting never works especially in the kip i have to live in.there are some settled council estates out there with old people but 90% including my own are drug and crime havens

Dudess · 18-02-2011 8:57pm

Eric Cartman wrote: »

You could also try applying for a few jobs so you could live where you want

ronan125 wrote: »

Now Now Now Eric - You dont expect people to have to work to be able to get a house do you now... sure are we not all entitled to free houses in any area we like.

How the **** do you know she's not working? And "free" house? No, you actually pay rent. And she didn't give any indication that she's entitled to it, or in any area she likes. If council houses are such a luxury, and a "free" one at that, how come lots of people wouldn't live in one?

OP I suggest you march down to the council, say you could not possibly live in that house and demand a 5 bed detached house in the most affluent area nearest to you.

Where did she indicate she's looking for anything remotely like that?

Eric Cartman wrote: »

if theres nothing wrong with the house itself then she should take it and be thankful, if she doesnt take it some other family may have to , if she used a bit of initiative she could contact the council about the neighbour and have her evicted, but then again, if she used a bit of initiative maybee shed have her own house

What's vastly different between renting off a local authority and renting off a private landlord? And I thought it was "stupid" for people to buy their own house in today's climate.

The OP is a bit lacking in facts to make such judgements, no?

snubbleste wrote: »

Um what is wrong with the house? You seem to be complaining about someone else's lifestyle.

That just comes across as disingenuous - she made it clear she's unhappy with the shenanigans she has been informed the neighbours get up to, which if correct would affect those living next door to them.
Doesn't matter how nice a house is if you've to put up with crap from the neighbours.
People have a right to be unhappy about living in close proximity to others who are engaging in anti-social behaviour that affects those around them - there's nothing overly demanding or unreasonable about that.

Although OP, the fact she's a lone mother should hardly be a concern...

FreeCheese4All · 18-02-2011 9:04pm

Dudess wrote: »

What's vastly different between renting off a local authority and renting off a private landlord?

Taxpayer subsidising renting from a local authority.
Taxpayer not subsidising tenants renting from a private landlord

Dudess · 18-02-2011 9:10pm

That's what taxes are for - to provide services, including housing for those who aren't in a position to buy/rent privately. If there is a minority taking the piss, that's just the way of the world - it's not enough reason to do away with the system. The state that local authorities let some places get into anyway - a private landlord would be rightly pilloried for it.

clouds · 18-02-2011 9:14pm

The likes of you Eric Cartman, gummy and panda should be ashamed of yourself. Do yis feel like real men?

OP if I could help, I would. Sympathies though, I hope you and your kids don't have to live beside drug dealing scumbags.

Murt10 · 18-02-2011 9:16pm

FreeCheese4All wrote: »

Taxpayer not subsidising tenants renting from a private landlord

Where did you get that from? Who do you think is paying the Rent Allowance?

Dudess · 18-02-2011 9:18pm

clouds wrote: »

The likes of you Eric Cartman, gummy and panda should be ashamed of yourself. Do yis feel like real men?

To be fair, re-read Gummy Panda's post.

clouds · 18-02-2011 9:23pm

Dudess wrote: »

To be fair, re-read Gummy Panda's post.

You're right Dudess,
sincerest apologies GummyPanda.

smokie2008 · 18-02-2011 9:26pm

A lot of people here seem to be either very far up their own arses or jealous of the fact their in negative equity with their own house or like me paying over half their wages on a mortgage every month.

God forbid the OP might not be lucky enough to be well educated enough to have a good job that pays well and can offered to pay the bank/builders the ridicules extortion price for a house in this country. Or maybe the bank won't lend her the money for the house, who knows her circumstances?????

Just cause she is getting social housing does that mean she should shut up and let her kids grow up next door to some scumbag filthy drug dealer and chance exposing them to that life????

Cop on.

Op if I was you it might be a good idea to contact your local councilor or someone like that and explain your situation. Best of luck.

bisset · 18-02-2011 9:35pm

If you have concrete evidence of your allegations you can give them to the council in confidence. You can meet with your local counciller if you wont want to speak to a council employee. How do you know this person has convictions? Was it in the local paper. If so get a cutting and bring it into the council. When you say the neighbour is a druggie do you mean you have seen her under the influence of drugs. If you can demonstrate that you have reasonable grounds for refusing the property then you should contiue to be entitled to rent supplement. Have you considered the RAS scheme?

Trophywife · 18-02-2011 9:54pm

What else would you expect in all fairness....people who expect to be given free houses at the expense of the hard working tax payers don't exactly have a lot of morals or ambition. Hence bringing your kids up in a place with people like druggies etc living next door would be the worse thing you could possibly do. Like another poster said try get any job you can and pay for your housing yourself and your kids might have some chance at turning out half decent people. I'm sick of this attitude of people not going off the social welfare for a minimum wage job (cos of loss of benefits)...if you have kids should you not be showing them that its important to have drive and work for a living and that a better life is possible rather than sitting around on your arse doing nothing all day. The country would be a much better place then.

Eric Cartman · 18-02-2011 9:55pm

Dudess wrote: »

How the **** do you know she's not working? And "free" house? No, you actually pay rent.

And I thought it was "stupid" for people to buy their own house in today's climate.

Can you get a council house If you / your partner is in full time employment ? I always thought you couldnt

I know its not free but its like what 15-30 a week , its effectivley free also as to my earlier point I assumed she was using dole to pay it , so then it is free (except to those of us who work)

I never said anything like that , I think its quite smart to buy a house now if you can get the mortgage but I meant renting

my post may have come of as harsh in the beginning , but its quite obvious the op has no real proof of this , she probably talked to some aul wan down the road who assumes the whole estate is on drugs or something , social housing is a necessary part of our country , and its a case of beggars shouldnt be choosers, she could be put in some dodgy estate in limerick as her 2nd option or something, what then , I just think the op should cop on and not treat a council house as a happy existance to live the rest of her life and rather as a temporary - less than Ideal circumstance to get over as quickly as possible

Squirm · 18-02-2011 10:04pm

I think it's very unfair to expect council house recipients to 'put up and shut up'.

Perhaps if more honest, decent, family orientated, residents of council houses across the country were to start complaining and reporting their junkie, trouble making, fraudster neighbours, council estates would be in a much better state of repair and would provide more suitable... and appealing... housing for families, especially children.

Why should the drug taking, criminally inclined, scumbags ruin entire neighbourhoods, while ordinary families, with their own issues and hardships, who have fallen on hard times, are expected to suffer all the more??

I have enormous respect and admiration for anyone who will stand up, complain, report and do what they need to do for their children.

We do not know anything about the OP's personal circumstances and she is asking a valid and legitimate question.

Perhaps people might consider answering it, to the best of their abilities, for the sake of her children, if not for her- the "lazy, not-bothered-to-work, scrounger" that she is...

clouds · 18-02-2011 10:04pm

Lols @ someone called TrophyWife banging on about 'hard working tax payers' :pac:

Moonbeam · 18-02-2011 10:06pm

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/local_authority_and_social_housing/applying_for_local_authority_housing.html

rent is based on your ability to pay so the rent differs based on income.

Trophywife · 18-02-2011 10:21pm

clouds wrote: »

Lols @ someone called TrophyWife banging on about 'hard working tax payers' :pac:

just cos your wife's an obese swine...;)

And I'm a working professional, who pays tax and contributes to this country in a positive manner so I'm more than entitled to have my say in how my tax dollars should be spent. And after this election I pray that they reduce social welfare because its a massive disincentive for people to get back to work. Reducing it is the only way forward.

smokie2008 · 18-02-2011 10:33pm

Trophywife wrote: »

just cos your wife's an obese swine...;)

And Ban in 10....9.....8.....lol

Mr. Presentable · 18-02-2011 10:37pm

Gift horse and all that. Look at it as your opportunity to raise the level of tenant in the area. Who knows, maybe the scrounger and druggie won't like having hard working honest people next door.

smokie2008 · 18-02-2011 10:39pm

Mr. Presentable wrote: »

Gift horse and all that. Look at it as your opportunity to raise the level of tenant in the area. Who knows, maybe the scrounger and druggie won't like having hard working honest people next door.

So enlighten us "Mr.Presentable", What exactly would you do if you were unfortunate enough to be in this position?? Lets presume absolutely everything the OP is saying is true, what would you do??

Trophywife · 18-02-2011 10:41pm

smokie2008 wrote: »

And Ban in 10....9.....8.....lol

I'm lucky you have a sense of humour then!

partyatmygaff · 18-02-2011 10:48pm

Trophywife wrote: »

just cos your wife's an obese swine...;)

And I'm a working professional, who pays tax and contributes to this country in a positive manner so I'm more than entitled to have my say in how my tax dollars should be spent. And after this election I pray that they reduce social welfare because its a massive disincentive for people to get back to work. Reducing it is the only way forward.

Surely you'd be better suited on an American forum? You hardly pay tax in Ireland if you speak of tax dollars.

Mr. Presentable · 18-02-2011 10:50pm

smokie2008 wrote: »

So enlighten us "Mr.Presentable", What exactly would you do if you were unfortunate enough to be in this position?? Lets presume absolutely everything the OP is saying is true, what would you do??

Not everybody is in a position to pick and choose. Make the best of your situation and work to improve it.

Trophywife · 18-02-2011 10:54pm

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Surely you'd be better suited on an American forum? You hardly pay tax in Ireland if you speak of tax dollars.

Its a figure of speech....sounds better than tax euros! But you know that and your just trying to be smart but failing miserably!!

partyatmygaff · 18-02-2011 11:10pm

Trophywife wrote: »

Its a figure of speech....sounds better than tax euros! But you know that and your just trying to be smart but failing miserably!!

Could you not just say "my tax"? "Tax dollars" makes it sound as if you're a D4 who thinks they live in Beverly Hills :pac:

Trophywife · 18-02-2011 11:15pm

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Could you not just say "my tax"? "Tax dollars" makes it sound as if you're a D4 who thinks they live in Beverly Hills :pac:

.....people express themselves in different ways, i'm new to this but do people generally wander off the subject of the original thread post and turn to slagging other people off?

Monife · 18-02-2011 11:19pm

While I agree that it is terrible to have to bring your children up in such surroundings, I agree with the other posters. Beggars can't be choosers.

While we don't know your circumstances, surely you or your partner could get a job, while the other looks after the kids (if childcare isn't worth your while).

I also, am sick of getting cut more and more in my wages, paying loads of tax (which effectively pays peoples rent and dole, while I get sweet fanny adam from it) and I would probably be better off on the dole, but I just wouldn't want that. Ok you can say there are no jobs blah blah, there is if you look hard enough, it took me months to get one, but I did.

Don't mean to be getting all negative, but think about it, people wait years to get a house, be happy you were offered one, especially if there is actually nothing wrong with the house. Report the neighbour, if you have evidence.

jimmycrackcorm · 18-02-2011 11:24pm

To answer the ops question, it depends. You can make a case about the possible risks and danger to your kids and that the officials could be held responsible for that. However it may be seen as simply snobbery unless there is some proof. But if you are able to justify your allegations then you will simply be offered somewhere else.

Squirm · 18-02-2011 11:28pm

Trophywife wrote: »

just cos your wife's an obese swine...;)

And I'm a working professional, who pays tax and contributes to this country in a positive manner so I'm more than entitled to have my say in how my tax dollars should be spent. And after this election I pray that they reduce social welfare because its a massive disincentive for people to get back to work. Reducing it is the only way forward.

That's not entirely true.

If you analyse the most efficient social welfare systems across Europe, you will find they do not generally operate by giving people too little to survive on in the hopes that they go find work faster.

Also, while it is quite the norm to stray from the original post, the original post in this instance was a valid question from a concerned mother. So you yourself deviated from the OP and in a rather offensive manner, in my opinion.

Also, it is not a simple matter- reducing the jobseekers allowance/benefit. It is not a figure they pluck out of thin air. It is decide upon following careful analysis of what is considered a basic, acceptable, standard of living and what is required to achieve that. It takes into consideration dietary requirements and food costs.

I was wondering, to those who seem to have an issue with 'dole' recipients? Would you yourselves avail of state maternity benefits, should the need arise? Or would you choose to use your own savings or go without, rather than expect "tax dollars" to finance your maternity leave?
Just interested to know if it is just people seeking employment benefit that are being discriminated against here... or if it is anyone who avails of State welfare...

Trophywife · 18-02-2011 11:30pm

Social Housing should be a temporary benefit. Its should be stopped at a certain stage and this would encourage the occupants to get work quicker and find a place to live themselves and pay for it themselves.

Social welfare is seen by some as a long term source of income while in fact its designed to help people for a short period if they are unfortunate enough to loose their job, to enable them time to find a new one and get going again.

Squirm · 18-02-2011 11:36pm

This is true and it is a disgrace. However it is not the case for the majority. The majority of registered homeless people in Ireland- those who will be prioritised for housing where possible- are women with children, most of whom are fleeing violent households and have little to nothing to their name. Yes, it would be lovely for them to find work, find affordable childcare, enjoy nice salaries, pay tax, contribute positively to the economy... and until that happens they require State assistance. Something their tax credits contrivute towards before and after their stint on the dole.

Trophywife · 18-02-2011 11:37pm

Squirm wrote: »

That's not entirely true.

If you analyse the most efficient social welfare systems across Europe, you will find they do not generally operate by giving people too little to survive on in the hopes that they go find work faster.

Also, while it is quite the norm to stray from the original post, the original post in this instance was a valid question from a concerned mother. So you yourself deviated from the OP and in a rather offensive manner, in my opinion.

Also, it is not a simple matter- reducing the jobseekers allowance/benefit. It is not a figure they pluck out of thin air. It is decide upon following careful analysis of what is considered a basic, acceptable, standard of living and what is required to achieve that. It takes into consideration dietary requirements and food costs.

I was wondering, to those who seem to have an issue with 'dole' recipients? Would you yourselves avail of state maternity benefits, should the need arise? Or would you choose to use your own savings or go without, rather than expect "tax dollars" to finance your maternity leave?
Just interested to know if it is just people seeking employment benefit that are being discriminated against here... or if it is anyone who avails of State welfare...

All I know is that the current system is an absolute disaster. The country can't sustain the level of expenditure on social welfare. So if something isn't working it needs to be changed. What do you suggest then?

My point was that minimum wage has been reduced, private sector salaries have been reduced dramatically, so in turn shouldn't social welfare be reduced...

I work full time and have been married a couple of years. I'd love to start a family but I have to hold off because I can't afford to and I wouldn't want my family to have to struggle money wise. There's a baby boom at the moment and most of the people I know having children are on social welfare, and in turn tax payers have to pay this extra expense. The system encourages girls to leave school and get pregnant as they will be well looked after by the state. How can that be right.

TJJP · 18-02-2011 11:40pm

SUZY316 wrote: »

Today we got a letter from the council saying we were offered a house.

1) If i refuse will my rent allowance be taking off me ?
2)Will i get another offer as the is a few house empty at the minute ?
3) Will i be taken of the list ?

Congrats on the offer, you must be happy.

In answer to your questions, I'm afraid I don't really know as the circumstances are quite particular to each applicant, and each housing scheme, so it’s very hard to comment in a way that might be useful to you. What applies in your case, might not in some other.

However, generally, Part IV housing (the current scheme I think) states that ‘Applicants who, without a satisfactory explanation, refuse three consecutive offers of a local authority dwelling, will have their application closed. In such circumstances the applicant may not re-apply for a period of one year from the date of third refusal’.

So it seems you have three goes at it. If you say no to the first, you’ll get another offer and your rent allowance status won’t be affected. But do call and ask first to be sure.

Furthermore, Waterford say they are ‘working towards zero tolerance on anti-social behaviour’. The Housing Department at Waterford County Council (Dungarvan (058) 20862 open 9 – 5 Mon/Fri) is there to help you (despite what the responses on here might have you think).

Call Waterford, tell them your concerns, without specifics, and see what they can do for you. This isn’t you versus them, nor does anyone deny you your right to housing. Speak to them and they will work it out with you. It’s in nobody’s interest that you be placed in a difficult or compromised situation. Don’t accept anything less.

twowheelsonly · 18-02-2011 11:43pm

Trophywife wrote: »

What else would you expect in all fairness....people who expect to be given free houses at the expense of the hard working tax payers don't exactly have a lot of morals or ambition. Hence bringing your kids up in a place with people like druggies etc living next door would be the worse thing you could possibly do. Like another poster said try get any job you can and pay for your housing yourself and your kids might have some chance at turning out half decent people. I'm sick of this attitude of people not going off the social welfare for a minimum wage job (cos of loss of benefits)...if you have kids should you not be showing them that its important to have drive and work for a living and that a better life is possible rather than sitting around on your arse doing nothing all day. The country would be a much better place then.

Unbelievable!!!

Circumstances differ for everybody - absolutely everybody.
Have you tried to get a mortgage recently? I'm guessing that the OP is young(ish) and has found herself having The OP is 33, and settled with her partner by her own admission but has applied for a Council House due to a combination of circumstances I presume. Presumably they are currently in Private rented accom which is a lot more expensive for both herself and us and is happier and sensible enough to look for a cheaper and possibly more comfortable option. You think that her getting a job is going to enable her to save €20,000+ for a deposit and then qualify for a Mortgage from one our oh so generous banks? Maybe she already has a job - doesn't automatically imply that you can afford a house.

All the bad kids come from Council houses by your reckoning.. I work in a prison and I can tell you categorically that that's not true. In fact, guess where the criminals at the top of the tree tend to live? David Drumm and Seanie Fitzpatrick, probably the biggest (but not convicted) criminals of our time lived in some fine houses. Does that make them decent people? How many 'decent' families are living on beans and bread and running to the V de P at the moment while they're struggling to pay for a house that they could never afford? Ambition is an excellent trait but so is living within your means!!

Your assumptions are laughable and send out a strong hint of snobbery - not the nicest of traits to be honest..

Squirm · 18-02-2011 11:50pm

The difference between salary reductions and social welfare reductions is that in the latter you are asking people to survive on less than the agreed sum necessary to live healthily!

The system doesn't work. It is being manipulated and there are fraudulent claims being made daily I should think. But the honest recipients, genuinely in need and probably entitled to some help, having paid their credits, should not be made suffer or be ridiculed for this. It is the State's responsibilty to police the system and ensure that claimants are genuine and truthful in their applications. It is, in such case, the State's 'fault' if tax dollars are being flushed down the throats and veins of junkies and scumbags who are career 'jobseekers' and life-long welfare recipients.

This is a complex issue that cannot be underestimated and it does not simply come down to 'they shoul go find work'. There are cycles of poverty that are not easily broken.

I agree, incidently, that that people cannot expect social housing to be perfect or exactly to their liking, but I disagree that they should put up with any old sh*te just because they're poor! In almost every single council house there is a child or children who deserves better than that attitude.

Trophywife · 18-02-2011 11:53pm

twowheelsonly wrote: »

Unbelievable!!!

Circumstances differ for everybody - absolutely everybody.
Have you tried to get a mortgage recently? I'm guessing that the OP is young(ish) and has found herself having to apply for a Council House due to a combination of circumstances. You think that her getting a job is going to enable her to save €20,000+ for a deposit and then as a single mother qualify for a Mortgage from one our oh so generous banks? Maybe she already has a job - doesn't automatically imply that you can afford a house.

All the bad kids come from Council houses by your reckoning.. I work in a prison and I can tell you categorically that that's not true. In fact, guess where the criminals at the top of the tree tend to live? David Drumm and Seanie Fitzpatrick, probably the biggest (but not convicted) criminals of our time lived in some fine houses. Does that make them decent people? How many 'decent' families are living on beans and bread and running to the V de P at the moment while they're struggling to pay for a house that they could never afford? Ambition is an excellent trait but so is living within your means!!

Your assumptions are laughable and send out a strong hint of snobbery - not the nicest of traits to be honest..

I got a mortgage five years ago. I'm twenty six now and put myself through college for 6 years to get what I have now. Its called hard work and have ambition in life. Age has nothing to do with it. I'd rather be getting a mortage and buying a house now than at the peak five years ago. I didn't go having kids when I knew I couldn't support them and then expect for the state to pay for them and house them. Good job there's more people like me, than there is people having kids when they can't support them cos the country would be in even more of a mess then!!

I'm not a snob. People lost jobs and its terrible...wasn't they're fault but it happened and they need to get through it. The real snobbery comes from people who are claiming social welfare and think they're too good to work in a minimum wage job. And there's a hell of a lot of that going on.

Squirm · 18-02-2011 11:54pm

TJJP wrote: »

Congrats on the offer, you must be happy.

In answer to your questions, I'm afraid I don't really know as the circumstances are quite particular to each applicant, and each housing scheme, so it’s very hard to comment in a way that might be useful to you. What applies in your case, might not in some other.

However, generally, Part IV housing (the current scheme I think) states that ‘Applicants who, without a satisfactory explanation, refuse three consecutive offers of a local authority dwelling, will have their application closed. In such circumstances the applicant may not re-apply for a period of one year from the date of third refusal’.

So it seems you have three goes at it. If you say no to the first, you’ll get another offer and your rent allowance status won’t be affected. But do call and ask first to be sure.

Furthermore, Waterford say they are ‘working towards zero tolerance on anti-social behaviour’. The Housing Department at Waterford County Council (Dungarvan (058) 20862 open 9 – 5 Mon/Fri) is there to help you (despite what the responses on here might have you think).

Call Waterford, tell them your concerns, without specifics, and see what they can do for you. This isn’t you versus them, nor does anyone deny you your right to housing. Speak to them and they will work it out with you. It’s in nobody’s interest that you be placed in a difficult or compromised situation. Don’t accept anything less.

Good to know. Thanks for that. Hopefully the OP finds this response amidst all the abuse and snobbery.

TrollHammaren · 18-02-2011 11:59pm

Eric Cartman wrote: »

but then again, if she used a bit of initiative maybee shed have her own house

Seriously? That is an incredibly ignorant thing to say. You have absolutely no idea of her circumstances and you're coming out with these foul assumptions. This snobbery seems to be an unfortunate trend on boards.

Trophywife wrote: »

What else would you expect in all fairness....people who expect to be given free houses at the expense of the hard working tax payers don't exactly have a lot of morals or ambition. Hence bringing your kids up in a place with people like druggies etc living next door would be the worse thing you could possibly do. Like another poster said try get any job you can and pay for your housing yourself and your kids might have some chance at turning out half decent people. I'm sick of this attitude of people not going off the social welfare for a minimum wage job (cos of loss of benefits)...if you have kids should you not be showing them that its important to have drive and work for a living and that a better life is possible rather than sitting around on your arse doing nothing all day. The country would be a much better place then.

There's so much wrong with this post. Are you saying that there's no way a hard-working, ambitious person cannot own their own house?

Trophywife wrote: »

And after this election I pray that they reduce social welfare because its a massive disincentive for people to get back to work. Reducing it is the only way forward.

So people can live below the breadline? Sure, we might as well starve them, too. It's the way forward.

Trophywife wrote: »

All I know is that the current system is an absolute disaster. The country can't sustain the level of expenditure on social welfare. So if something isn't working it needs to be changed. What do you suggest then?

My point was that minimum wage has been reduced, private sector salaries have been reduced dramatically, so in turn shouldn't social welfare be reduced...

I work full time and have been married a couple of years. I'd love to start a family but I have to hold off because I can't afford to and I wouldn't want my family to have to struggle money wise. There's a baby boom at the moment and most of the people I know having children are on social welfare, and in turn tax payers have to pay this extra expense. The system encourages girls to leave school and get pregnant as they will be well looked after by the state. How can that be right.

You have a very skewed sense of social justice if that's how you feel. You should be very rpoud of yourself for being a privileged, middle-class boardsie.

Squirm · 19-02-2011 12:04am

Things can change in an instance Trophywife.

I have worked hard for my degree and post-grad. I have a mortgage secured in the good old days when they were a dime a dozen. I have a strong work ethic and ambition.

Were my partner to die tomorrow I would be very much at the mercy of the social welfare.

Try not to let the media cloud your views on who it is exactly that is availing of the vast majority of council housing and social benefits and bare in mind that not everyone on the 'dole' is a lazy skanger.

The CSO very recently received 14,000 applications for the temp positions they have coming up in less than a day. 14,000 for a barely over minimum wage job!!!!!

And there were thousands of others who attempted to apply but couldn't as they had reached maximum capacity in record timing.

So there are still a few people out there who are not too good for minimum wage.

Monife · 19-02-2011 12:14am

Squirm wrote: »

The CSO very recently received 14,000 applications for the temp positions they have coming up in less than a day. 14,000 for a barely over minimum wage job!!!!!

And there were thousands of others who attempted to apply but couldn't as they had reached maximum capacity in record timing.

So there are still a few people out there who are not too good for minimum wage.

The enumerator job is hardly minimum wage. It asks you to do on average 22 hours a week, some weeks less, some more. On average you earn €2,200 for the 10 week contract, some earn more. That works out at around a tenner an hour, not bad in my books.

Victor · 19-02-2011 1:39am

Warnings handed out.

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Could you not just say "my tax"? "Tax dollars" makes it sound as if you're a D4 who thinks they live in Beverly Hills :pac:

On topic please, all of you.

Eric Cartman wrote: »

social housing is a necessary part of our country , and its a case of beggars shouldnt be choosers, she could be put in some dodgy estate in limerick as her 2nd option or something, what then , I just think the op should cop on and not treat a council house as a happy existance to live the rest of her life and rather as a temporary - less than Ideal circumstance to get over as quickly as possible

Actually, people living in council-owned properties should be entitled to a happy existence. There is a long standing pattern of the more successful and motivated people moving out of council housing and the area loses its natural leaders, the area then declines, loses reputation and only the more desperate and less capable will move there. The problems self-perpetuate and a vicious circle forms.

randylonghorn · 19-02-2011 7:09am

Trophywife wrote: »

I'm lucky you have a sense of humour then!

Since when does obnoxious rudeness qualify as humour?

Squirm wrote:

The CSO very recently received 14,000 applications for the temp positions they have coming up in less than a day. 14,000 for a barely over minimum wage job!!!!!

And there were thousands of others who attempted to apply but couldn't as they had reached maximum capacity in record timing.

Aye. Unfortunately there were also working professionals in good jobs who applied for and got these jobs as a little extra earner. I wouldn't mind that so much, everyone's entitled to do the best for themselves, were it not that it is the same people who then turn round and castigate those who they themselves edged out of jobs for not making an effort to access gainful employment.

Trophywife wrote: »

All I know is that the current system is an absolute disaster. The country can't sustain the level of expenditure on social welfare.

What the country REALLY can't sustain is continuing to pour countless billions into the bankers' black hole, to rescue them after they and their developer pals played silly buggers with the country's future for years, aided and abetted by their tame FF mouthpieces. And yes, in the process drove the price of houses sky-high, so that those who rushed foolishly into house purchases and mortgages at the height of the boom are now feeling the pinch in a major way. And in fairness to those people I will say this: our inept teletubby government was telling them that that was what they should be doing ... our former Taoiseach was of the publicly-stated opinion that those who tried to utter a word of warning should commit suicide!!

As a result of the shenanigans of the unholy trinity of bankers, developers and politicians, there are also huge numbers of people who lost jobs and find themselves dependent on the social welfare system ... they too are victims in all of this.

What fascinates (and saddens) me is that in Ireland the perpetrators walk free, and the victims turn on each other!

ebixa82 · 19-02-2011 7:32am

OP I have a somewhat similar predicament to you.

I am lucky enough to be in full time employment however over the past 2 years have seen my hours cut by 20%. wages by 30% and paying increasing levels of tax.

Like so many others I overpayed for a semi-d house in a housing estate which is now valued at 50% less than the mortgage I am paying on it. My mortgage accounts for 60% of my expenditure, I have barely enough to feed my family and the bills are stacking up.

Now I have been told that the vacant houses either side are to be given to social housing. On one side will be a young couple and their children. I have heard some reports off people about them. I don't know a whole lot but neither of them are working which means they will probably sit at home all day doing nothing paid for by the taxpayer.

But I can't move anywhere, I am stuck in this house forever as I will never be able to sell it. I will always be at the mercy of the council as to who my neighbors will be.

Apparently, however, if they don't like living beside me they can apply for a different house. Mad isn't it?

man.about.town · 19-02-2011 7:47am

clouds wrote: »

The likes of you Eric Cartman, gummy and panda should be ashamed of yourself. Do yis feel like real men?

OP if I could help, I would. Sympathies though, I hope you and your kids don't have to live beside drug dealing scumbags.

i have no sympathy what so ever, its this kinda lark that has our country the way it is.. too many hand outs. our crippling benefit entitlements are a joke. we have the highest rent allowance, social welfare, child benefits in europe etc... and still all the people who benefit from these cry about how they get offered a perfectly good house but the neighbours arent nice ... UNF$%KING BELIEVABLE

man.about.town · 19-02-2011 7:53am

ebixa82 wrote: »

OP I have a somewhat similar predicament to you.

I am lucky enough to be in full time employment however over the past 2 years have seen my hours cut by 20%. wages by 30% and paying increasing levels of tax.

Like so many others I overpayed for a semi-d house in a housing estate which is now valued at 50% less than the mortgage I am paying on it. My mortgage accounts for 60% of my expenditure, I have barely enough to feed my family and the bills are stacking up.

Now I have been told that the vacant houses either side are to be given to social housing. On one side will be a young couple and their children. I have heard some reports off people about them. I don't know a whole lot but neither of them are working which means they will probably sit at home all day doing nothing paid for by the taxpayer.

But I can't move anywhere, I am stuck in this house forever as I will never be able to sell it. I will always be at the mercy of the council as to who my neighbors will be.

Apparently, however, if they don't like living beside me they can apply for a different house. Mad isn't it?

thats why i have no sympathy, bought my place in late '06 for 400k and struggle to pay it. the lady opposite me is getting rent allowance because she is a single mother with 3 kids. she does nothing but sit in her house and go to the shops. in fairness, she nice and her kids are grand but every so often she has a party and its full of knackers (the only way i can describe them). pisses me off

btw, our situation is nothing like the OP

I just got offer council house from hell !

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