Seanad debates
Tuesday, 15 October 2024
An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
1:00 pm
Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source
I support the Order of Business, as outlined.
As we all know, at 2 p.m. there is going to be a protest outside Leinster House by the hospitality industry. This is an industry that provides important services and good jobs, in particular to younger people, for example students, which helps them through college. They are the essence of what makes the streets in communities, villages and towns survive and thrive. When we go out to engage in leisure activities or to meet somebody socially, it is nice to have the opportunity to be able to pop in someplace for lunch, a cup of coffee or whatever. If we look at the possibility of not having these industries, we would be far the poorer for that. I will be standing with those in the hospitality industry because they need more supports. While certain supports were provided in the budget, I honestly believe we must go further than that. We need to have a debate here in the House with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment on how we can support the hospitality industry.
I also want to speak briefly about the Peter McVerry Trust. There is a lot in the headlines and on various programmes on the Peter McVerry Trust. We all acknowledge that Fr. Peter McVerry has done great work - noble and important work - to support those who need a roof over their head. We have heard about the concerns relating to poor governance. Given the significant public funding the trust gets and the fundraising for it that goes on around the country, it is important that the matter is highlighted.
I wish to talk about the model of care and the supports, or lack thereof, for the Peter McVerry house on Eyre Street in Newbridge, traditionally known as the Michael Garry House. It provides a home for people who did not have a roof over their heads. The local St. Vincent de Paul group ran the house. It is what is known as a "dry house", which means residents could not participate in taking alcohol or drugs. It is a model that worked very well. We must acknowledge that some or even many of those who require housing have addiction issues.Unfortunately, at the moment, the Peter McVerry house in Newbridge is no longer a dry house and this is leading to antisocial behaviour and causing challenges and problems for businesses and residents. I have witnessed some of these antisocial incidents and they are on the severe end of the scale. The Peter McVerry house does not provide a rehabilitation process. When I compare it with places like Tiglin, run by Aubrey McCarthy in Kildare, or the Sister Consilio model, they provide a pathway to help support those with addictions. I believe this is what should also be followed in the Peter McVerry house in Eyre Street. Kildare County Council signed the contract and I have had conversations with it. I believe it should revert to a dry house model and there should be that rehabilitative element to help people get on a pathway to improve their own lives.
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