Madam, - An observation by the dean of St Patrick's Cathedral that "there will always be homeless people" (December 30th), has elicited a reiteration of the Homeless Agency's "aim to eliminate homelessness in the capital by 2010" (January 6th).
In 1946, the Ministry of Health in post-war Britain saw fit to make innovative recommendations to eradicate destitution and homelessness (Circular 136/46). The National Assistance Act, which came into operation in July 1948, facilitated implementation of the Circular's intent. While further legislation and resources have bolstered developments since this, it is generally acknowledged that after almost 56 years the problem of homelessness in Britain has not been satisfactorily contained, let alone eliminated.
In Dublin, such statutory solutions as have been introduced have yet to focus on complex interlocking factors that are known to lead to destitution and dereliction. The broad, signposted pathways into homelessness, remain clogged with marginalised people, many with physical, psychological, psychiatric and/or behavioural problems. Solutions to many of the latter problems, remain mired by lack of adequate statutory provision.
Internal migration and other variables that are common to life in major cities the world over have understandably affected our capital. Having worked with the homeless mentally ill in Dublin over the past 25 years, experience indicates that solutions to homelessness based on yesteryear's assessment of need and implemented piecemeal if at all are not likely to be adequate.
Given the experience across the water, politically expedient assertions about eliminating homelessness in our capital over the next six years will need to be revisited. - Yours, etc.,
Dr JOHN FERNANDEZ,
Consultant Psychiatrist,
Howth,
Co Dublin.