Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Various speakers have spoken about the contrast between people in society who have problems and there is no doubt there are varying degrees of deprivation. There is no greater deprivation, however, than not to have a home, a roof over one?s head and, accordingly, not to have any sense of self-worth. There can be nothing worse than having to take refuge in a derelict building or having to throw oneself down in a doorway or a ditch at night. This is happening in society as we have new homeless people coming on stream. Very often, it is virtually impossible for the official services to do anything for these people. That is why a body like the Simon Community is important.

I am always inspired by the many young people attached to the Simon Community. They go out at various hours of the night to do what is not exactly nice work with no monetary gain or obvious appreciation. There is even a danger to themselves seeking out these people who are outside the mainstream of humanity and who are not even regarded as a statistic. We should salute and support the Simon Community, as well as those other charitable bodies working away quietly, not looking for any spotlight for their work. If those bodies did not exist, the absolute intolerable suffering that would be inflicted on these human beings could not even be imagined. As the Simon Community is coming somewhat centre stage, as legislators it would be good for us, in the midst of all the other big issues we have, to take a little time to acknowledge the work of Simon and support, help and encourage it in whatever way we can.