Mr. David Barlow:

In terms of housing, we ceased providing accommodation directly many years ago. As I said, the centre started out as a hostel. We do, however, signpost people to emergency accommodation. We have links with emergency hostels supported, for example, by the Shelter organisation. We also work with local authorities to get people into emergency accommodation. That task is getting harder because, as I am sure members of the committee are aware through the media, the accommodation problem in London is worsening because rents are escalating enormously. The majority of people, including those in well paid jobs, who are trying to get a foot on the ladder and provide their own accommodation are finding it very difficult to do so. This links in with the false hopes people have in coming to the United Kingdom which, in turn, links in with what we are trying to do. The committee might be able to help by ensuring people who are thinking of moving to London or other cities in Britain are educated about the realities of doing so.
In 2011 we launched an information booklet, which is also available online. I understand it is also available online in most Irish libraries and other places where people might go to research coming to Britain. The booklet is entitled Moving to London,and provides people with realistic information on what they can expect in terms of the geography of London and how vast it is compared to most cities on the island of Ireland and the position on rents. Given the many changes that have occurred in the past three years, the booklet could probably do with being updated. A number of people coming to London expect to be able to rent a two bedroom house in north London. The London Irish Centre owns three garages which it is proposed to demolish and replace with a two bedroom house which we can rent to boost our income. Its rentable value will be £3,500 per month. That is the cost of renting a house in the area, which, while a good one, is not one of the wealthiest. These are the types of issue about which people need to be made aware. They need to know that if they do secure accommodation, it is likely to be a flat-share in a not so nice area. Anything the Irish Government or organisations and agencies could do to support our work in educating people on the realities of moving to London would be welcome.