National Forum

Non-Gaa Forum

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


Replying To Pikeman96:  "I'm not making any excuse. I simply asked how could any government have planned ahead for an unexpected influx of 80,000 people due to a war thousands of miles away. You haven't answered.

But let's look at the figures in a different way -

Before the first Ukranian arrived, there were 10,000 homeless. Now there are 17,000. That's an increase of 7,000.

Since then, probably somewhere around 100,000 people have needed accommodation - more than 80,000 Ukranians, plus whatever number arrived from other countries, plus whatever number of native Irish people applied for it.

If the rise in homelessness figures is 7,000 then that means that approx. 93,000 people have been accommodated.

Is is not a good result to have been able to accommodate 93% of people who've needed it, particularly when 80,000 of them were never expected in the first place?"
No point in spoiling the narrative with actual facts.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 2222 - 17/04/2026 10:25:57    2666887

Link

Replying To Pikeman96:  "I'm not making any excuse. I simply asked how could any government have planned ahead for an unexpected influx of 80,000 people due to a war thousands of miles away. You haven't answered.

But let's look at the figures in a different way -

Before the first Ukranian arrived, there were 10,000 homeless. Now there are 17,000. That's an increase of 7,000.

Since then, probably somewhere around 100,000 people have needed accommodation - more than 80,000 Ukranians, plus whatever number arrived from other countries, plus whatever number of native Irish people applied for it.

If the rise in homelessness figures is 7,000 then that means that approx. 93,000 people have been accommodated.

Is is not a good result to have been able to accommodate 93% of people who've needed it, particularly when 80,000 of them were never expected in the first place?"
Whatever way we look at the stats we have a chronic housing stock shortage, which is resulting in supply driven property price increases.
Sadly for those who are homeless they are at the pointy end of the housing shortage.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19242 - 17/04/2026 10:51:10    2666889

Link

Replying To Pikeman96:  "I'm not making any excuse. I simply asked how could any government have planned ahead for an unexpected influx of 80,000 people due to a war thousands of miles away. You haven't answered.

But let's look at the figures in a different way -

Before the first Ukranian arrived, there were 10,000 homeless. Now there are 17,000. That's an increase of 7,000.

Since then, probably somewhere around 100,000 people have needed accommodation - more than 80,000 Ukranians, plus whatever number arrived from other countries, plus whatever number of native Irish people applied for it.

If the rise in homelessness figures is 7,000 then that means that approx. 93,000 people have been accommodated.

Is is not a good result to have been able to accommodate 93% of people who've needed it, particularly when 80,000 of them were never expected in the first place?"
You're spoofing more than the spin doctors themselves.

We still had 10000 homeless before the War whatever way you look at it or try to explain it away. Also, that figure doesn't take into account the thousands of young people who still have to live at home or worse still emigrate because they can't afford to buy a house/appartment here. What's their solution to this? Bed in a Shed - laughable!

Can you spin that one for us? And while you're at it the Childrens Hospital debacle as well please as requested in my last post?

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1555 - 17/04/2026 11:12:34    2666892

Link

Replying To Freethinker:  "No point in spoiling the narrative with actual facts."
5000 homeless children in the state is fact enough for me.

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1555 - 17/04/2026 11:13:43    2666893

Link

Replying To Viking66:  "Whatever way we look at the stats we have a chronic housing stock shortage, which is resulting in supply driven property price increases.
Sadly for those who are homeless they are at the pointy end of the housing shortage."
And it will likely get worse. Already hearing concrete, insulation, timber, steel has crept up in price.
We can only hope that the Lebanese/Israeli ceasefire leads to a similar cooling of tensions between the US and Iran.
These past few months have really fully illustrated just how beholden we remain to oil and fossil fuels.
Almost everything we consume in our day to day lives is reliant on stable supply.

Might be a wake up call for us all to really get serious about renewable energy but I wouldn't hold my breath on that.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10297 - 17/04/2026 11:24:12    2666894

Link

Replying To Pikeman96:  "I'm not making any excuse. I simply asked how could any government have planned ahead for an unexpected influx of 80,000 people due to a war thousands of miles away. You haven't answered.

But let's look at the figures in a different way -

Before the first Ukranian arrived, there were 10,000 homeless. Now there are 17,000. That's an increase of 7,000.

Since then, probably somewhere around 100,000 people have needed accommodation - more than 80,000 Ukranians, plus whatever number arrived from other countries, plus whatever number of native Irish people applied for it.

If the rise in homelessness figures is 7,000 then that means that approx. 93,000 people have been accommodated.

Is is not a good result to have been able to accommodate 93% of people who've needed it, particularly when 80,000 of them were never expected in the first place?"
Housing homeless Irish families should have been the priority, and that wasn't the case and thus why people are ****** off at the Government. Irish homeless families waiting lists were navigated by property owners and hotel owners etc, in favour of more lucrative Ukrainian refugee deals with the Government.

Housing 93% of 100,000 people is a great feat, but only if you have Irish citizens getting priority.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1745 - 17/04/2026 12:00:52    2666901

Link

Replying To peiledoir20:  "You're spoofing more than the spin doctors themselves.

We still had 10000 homeless before the War whatever way you look at it or try to explain it away. Also, that figure doesn't take into account the thousands of young people who still have to live at home or worse still emigrate because they can't afford to buy a house/appartment here. What's their solution to this? Bed in a Shed - laughable!

Can you spin that one for us? And while you're at it the Childrens Hospital debacle as well please as requested in my last post?"
What's your solutions aside of the usual soundbites?

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1973 - 17/04/2026 12:55:52    2666910

Link

Replying To Commodore:  "Housing homeless Irish families should have been the priority, and that wasn't the case and thus why people are ****** off at the Government. Irish homeless families waiting lists were navigated by property owners and hotel owners etc, in favour of more lucrative Ukrainian refugee deals with the Government.

Housing 93% of 100,000 people is a great feat, but only if you have Irish citizens getting priority."
Legally we cannot prioritise orish citizens as you put it. That would be a breach of equality legislation and human rights violations.

Then you have the people who make themselves homeless. They aren't sleeping on the street or in their car but have surrendered or refused accommodation to remain on the housing list for their preferred location. This is a lot more common than you think. Take Dublim, for example, Northsiders dont want to live on south side etc etc. The same may apply to Athlone peopl3 not wanting to live in Moate or Kilbeggan etc. They refuse the accommodation to stay on list and make themselves technically homeless to stay high on the priority list.
Then you have the element of society that are almost impossible to house longterm. They make themselves homeless through anti social behaviour etc.
When you strip it all out the numbers of irish people who are genuinely homeless and on the street is low. I know that it should be zero but I come in contact with people of all walks of life in my job and I have never met an irish person that is sleeping on the street or car longterm ( more than a week or so) that isnt in the second category . Ive met lots that give out about the housing situation and claim to be homeless but all had a roof over their heads and most had been offered accommodation that they declined as the deemed it unsuitable. The reasons are mainly location but next is number of bedrooms eg offered a 2 bed and holding out for a 3 bed etc.
Its a complex issue and it does everyone a disservice to simplify it as you have done

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 199 - 17/04/2026 12:59:42    2666912

Link

Replying To Square_B:  "What's your solutions aside of the usual soundbites?"
I think you'll find the 'soundbites' have come from FG for the last 15 years. Empty hollow words, plenty of promises when out canvassing with very little clear solutions or follow up on those promises.

If they want to pay me and come in an do their work for them I'll happily pass my details on to your party members.

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1555 - 17/04/2026 13:31:31    2666918

Link