COPE Galway Pre-Budget Submission - Budget 2020
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Pre-Budget Submission – Budget 2020
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COPE Galway Pre-Budget Submission - Budget 2020
Introduction and Background
COPE Galway is a local charity that provides a range of services to some of the most vulnerable
and isolated people in Galway. The services we provide are across three main areas:
Homeless Services
Domestic Abuse Services for Women and Children
Services for Older People
Our vision is for an ‘Improved Quality of Life in a Home of Your Own’ for people affected by
homelessness, women and children experiencing domestic abuse, and older people.
In 2018, COPE Galway worked with a total of 1,406 people affected by homelessness in Galway
including 949 adults and 457 children. This comprised of 819 households of which 612 were single
people, 21 were couples, and 186 were families. We worked with 457 individual women and their
children experiencing domestic abuse. We also supported 730 older people in our community
helping them to stay in their own home for as long as they wish to do so through a range of
offerings including Meals on Wheels, Lunch Clubs and Community Support Projects and drop in
services. Our Community Catering Meals-on-Wheels service produced and delivered over 59,000
meals. This service also supported 3,263 individuals across the community of all ages through the
Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD) programme.
Homelessness
COPE Galway operates services for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. This
includes emergency and transitional accommodation, resettlement and tenancy support services
for people who are homeless and moving on from homelessness, and services to prevent
homelessness. The homeless situation in Galway has continues unabated and rough sleeping
continues to be an issue in Galway and became more evident during April 2019 when 23 extra
beds provided as part of a winter Cold Weather Response initiative were no longer available.
Family Homelessness continues to grow in Galway and shows little sign of slowing down with
families continuing to be evicted from private rented accommodation. The biggest challenge
facing our clients who find themselves homeless is the acute shortage of affordable
accommodation.
Domestic Abuse
COPE Galway’s Domestic Abuse Service provides refuge accommodation and outreach support to
women and their children who experience domestic abuse. A total of 457 individual women and
children availed of services in 2018 and a further 169 women with 233 children whom we were
unable to accommodate on 227 occasions were also assisted and supported including to access
refuge accommodation elsewhere due to pressure of space in our own refuge. We provided 771
outreach appointments for 208 women and 201 court accompaniments. We also provided a total
of 148 play therapy sessions to children affected by domestic abuse.
Domestic Abuse supports include:
One-to-one information and safety planning
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24-hour telephone support
Parenting support
Direct support for children from qualified childcare workers
Referral to play therapy for children
Referral to counselling for women
Senior Support Services
COPE Galway Senior Support Services support older people to continue living independently at
home through the provision of a range of practical supports in the community including Meals-on
Wheels, Lunch Clubs, and Community Support Projects including a drop in Day Centre. We
supported 730 people with these services in 2018.
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Budget 2020 – Addressing the Housing and Homelessness Crisis
Private rental housing availability and affordability
Context
Rising rents, insecurity of tenancies and shortage of housing are negatively impacting on the lives
of many of the individuals and families who avail of COPE Galway’s Homeless and Domestic Abuse
services as well as on growing numbers of people across the wider community in Galway. The
numbers entering homelessness are widely publicised and unfortunately increasing year on year.
When examining housing and homelessness and the responses to the crisis, it is important to first
examine what is ‘home’. ‘Home’ is more than four walls and a roof - home provides protection
and represents security, it is a refuge; it is a place of self-expression and it is part of our identity.
Losing your home or being at risk of losing your home can be devastating.
Some pertinent points on the subject of private rental housing include;
Tenancy protection measures ido not go far enough to create indefinite tenancies, expand
Rent Pressure Zones nationally or create a dwelling specific rent register, all of which are
vital to security of tenure and the sustainability of private rental accommodation for
tenants. With the announcement of new Rent Pressure Zones1 meaning roughly 65% of
renters are covered by rent controls and with the establishment of an investigation and
sanctions process under new legislation, the role of the Residential Tenancies Board will
expand. Funding must be provided to ensure the Residential Tenancies can fulfil their
obligations.
The number of families with children in rental accommodation has increased from 211,375
in 2011 to 237,482 in 20162. In COPE Galway’s experience the majority of families who
present for homeless supports do so having been given notice to quit from their rental
accommodation. Recent Focus Ireland research indicates that 58% of families surveyed are
becoming homeless due to factors in the private rented market3.
Housing and accommodation have come to be viewed as a commodity rather than a home4. The
sector has become an opportunity for investment and profit. We are witnessing this with the
increase in vulture and private investment firms entering the housing market in Ireland. As a
consequence many are struggling to find rental accommodation or to afford the rents being
charged. Some points of note in respect of the availability and affordability of private rental
housing include;
A survey of over 300 tenants found that 96% reported that they found it either difficult or
extremely difficult to find rental accommodation5. 47% of tenants surveyed, reported that
1
Rebuilding Ireland. Minister Murphy announces the designation of 19 new Rent Pressure Zones(RPZs). O2/07/2019.
2
Census of Population 2016 - Profile 4 Households and Families.
3
Long, et all. Family Homelessness in Dublin: Causes, Housing Histories, and Finding a Home | Full Report 2018.34
4
See Hearne, Rory. A home or a wealth generator? Inequality, financialisation and the Irish housing crisis
5
Threshold. Annual Tenant Sentiment Survey. National Results 2018
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they feel insecure in their tenancy and 20% of tenants surveyed left their previous rented
accommodation because their landlord was selling6.
This survey found that only 29% of tenants rent by choice. 71% of people rent because they
cannot afford to buy, cannot get a mortgage or cannot get social housing.
There has been an increase in the proportion of people aged between 45-54 living in
private rental accommodation.
For the 27th quarter in a row, advertised rents have increased nationally with the average
advertised rent nationally now €1,366. In Galway City, advertised rents are now 91%
higher than in early 2012, when rents were at their lowest. In Galway City the average
advertised rent is now €1,260, a year on year change of 11.4%. In Galway County the
average is now €906 a change of 16.6%7.
On May 1st 2019, there were just 2,700 properties available to rent nationwide on
DAFT.ie. This is the lowest ever figure for stock on the rental market, in a series that goes
back to the start of 2006. There were just 420 homes available to rent in Connacht and
Ulster on that date, an all-time low for the region8.
Recent research by the Irish Housing Network in collaboration with Inside Airbnb found
that in Galway City centre, entire home listings on Airbnb were 3.7% of total housing
stock, with 7 % of private rental houses being commercial Airbnb accommodation9.
Housing is an important and vital part of Ireland’s physical infrastructure; housing availability and
affordability are linked to Ireland’s economic competitiveness. The limited supply of housing and
the consequent increasing costs risks putting pressure on wages and impedes labour mobility
which worsens skill shortages. A point to note in respect of this is;
With research indicating that 1 in 5 tenants are paying over 40% of income on rent, 1 in 10
are paying over 60% and 1 in 20 are paying over 75%10, many will struggle to sustain this.
For others, the reality is that due to housing costs they are either being forced to move
back in with their parents or they cannot afford to move out to a home of their own. The
number of adults living at home with a parent has increased from 439,478 in 2011 to
458,874 in 2016 nationally, almost half of these are working, and a further 152,269 were
students11. Nationally there are over 250,000 young people12 living at home with a
parent13.
6
Threshold. Annual Tenant Sentiment Survey. National Results 2018
7
Figures from The Daft.ie Rental Price Report-2019 Q1
8
Figures from The Daft.ie Rental Price Report-2019 Q1
9
Irish Housing Network. Report on the use of Airbnb in the Republic of Ireland. June 2019. 13
10
Social Justice Ireland. National Social Monitor. 2019.4
11
Central Statistics Office. Census of Population 2016 - Profile 4 Households and Families
12
18-24 year olds
13
Central Statistics Office. Census of Population 2016 - Profile 4 Households and Families.
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Private rental housing availability and affordability - Recommendations
Resource local authorities to enforce the new regulations introduced in respect of short-
term lettings on July 1st 2019 to help ensure the success of these measures in bringing
dwellings back into use to meet mainstream housing need.
Introduce an affordable renting system through a Cost Rental Model. A cost-rental model
means rents are at a sufficient level to cover the cost of building and maintaining
accommodation but does not include a for-profit element meaning rents are not
determined by the maximum rent levels that can received on the private market14.
Introduce indefinite tenancies. As more people continue to rent into the future, the rules
regarding Part 4 tenancies must be amended. Currently once a Part 4 tenancy is near
expiration at the end of the cycle, landlords can give a tenant notice to quit. This must be
removed and indefinite tenancies introduced to provide increased security of tenure15.
Introduce measures to ensure large scale renting should only be provided through build to
rent schemes. Any policy introduced should curb the large scale purchase of homes and
housing developments for the purpose of renting.
Rents are increasing nationally including in rural areas. Many who are homeless and avail
of COPE Galway’s services come from outside urban areas. Rent Pressure Zones should be
introduced nationally to ensure people living in rural areas are not experiencing unfair
rent increases.
Create a dwelling specific rent register. When a new tenancy is created the incoming
tenant cannot confirm the properties previous rent or when it was set. Without accurate
information it is difficult for new tenants to verify the legally permitted rent16.
Increase the allocation by €5m17 to the Residential Tenancies Board to ensure it can fulfil
their obligations. Any increase in funding must not be financed by increasing tenancy
registration fee.
14
See NERI Research in Brief May 2018 (no55) Cost Rental Housing – A Model for Ireland?
15
See Threshold. Analysis of Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018. January 2019
16
See Threshold. Analysis of Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018. January 2019
17
Social Justice Ireland. Budget 2020 must contain the first major steps to tackling Ireland's accommodation crisis. 26th June 2019.
Available at https://www.socialjustice.ie/content/policy-issues/budget-2020-must-contain-first-major-steps-tackling-irelands-
accommodation. Accessed 2.06.2019
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Social Housing supply
The building of new social housing is vital to meeting the housing needs of an ever growing
number of people in emergency accommodation and to help prevent others at risk of
homelessness becoming homeless.
In 2018, the Government provided €1.16 billion for social housing building, of which €742 million
was to build new homes and €420 million to acquire homes that were being built across the
State18. Social Housing through building benefits the entire community as it increases housing
supply and creates a publically owned asset. The acquisition of units on the private market, while
important as a means of growing the social housing stock, does impact on the wider availability of
housing for first time buyers and others in the market for family homes. The changing make-up of
households, including single persons and step down homes in the community for older residents is
a further consideration in the development of new additional social housing. Budget 2020
represents an opportunity to increase social housing supply through building.
Nationally there are 71,858 households who qualify for social housing support with another 47,917
HAP tenancies19. This equates to almost 120,000 having a social housing need. Across the two
Galway Local Housing authorities there are a total of 3,547 households, not people, who
qualified20 for social housing; over 1,600 households have been waiting 5 years or more21.
Nationally 41.8% of households have been waiting over 5 years22. Some points of note in respect
of waiting lists for social housing;
There are 5,444 households nationally whose main applicant who qualified for Social
Housing Support were younger than 25 – see table 1 in appendix.
There are 384 households across both Galway local authorities whose main applicant who
qualified for Social Housing Support is aged 60 or over.
The number of smaller households is increasing23. 33,556 single person households
qualified for Social Housing Support nationally and single person households make up the
majority homeless households also.
Under occupation of social housing is a feature; 55%of Local Authority Housing stock has 3
bedrooms24; a 2017 report detailed that 4,946 social housing units in Dublin had fewer
residents than bedrooms25 .
Currently the majority of social housing provision is through the private rental market with the
use of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and various leasing schemes26. However, with
continued high rents, accommodation is now out of reach of most in Galway attempting to secure
18
Donohoe, P. Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 April 2019. Available at
https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2019-04-18/4/ Accessed 25.04/2019
19
Rebuilding Ireland - Progress against Targets. Available at https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-
affordble/overall-social-housing-provision, Accessed 24 May 2019
20
Housing Agency. Summary of Social Housing Assessments. 2018. 12
21
See Housing Agency. 2018. 42 for exact numbers.
22
Housing Agency. 2018.24.
23
See. Housing Agency. National Statement of Housing Supply and Demand 2016 and Outlook for 2017-18. February 2017.
Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments
Guidelines for Planning Authorities.2018. IBEC. Better housing: improving affordability and supply.2018
24
A Review of the Management and Maintenance of Local Authority Housing. 2017.11
25
Kelly, O. More than 5,000 Dublin council houses and flats ‘under occupied’. Irish Times. Nov 11, 2017
26
See table 4 and 5 for figures.
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rental accommodation through HAP, further exasperating the homelessness and housing crisis.
Points of note on HAP include;
At the end of the last quarter of 2018, 33.1% of the total number of households supported
by HAP were receiving a top-up. When the additional discretion available to homeless
households in the Dublin region is removed, 26.6% of households nationally were receiving
a top up. In those instances, the average rate of payment was 16.2% above rent limits
provided. When the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive area data is included this
increases to 21.8%27.
The total project spend for 2019 on HAP is €423 million; Rental Assistance Scheme (RAS)
spend is projected to be €134 million28 . This amounts to over half a billion euros being
paid to landlords.
In 2018, €143 million was spent on RAS; €277 million was spent on HAP and €106 million
for leasing, which is a total of €526 million29 spent on using private rental housing for
social housing need. These are homes that are not available to households who could
afford to rent them out of their own income.
In March 2018, Galway City Council’s average landlord payment was €784 per household.
In Galway County Council this payment is €66130. Using up to date figures regarding active
HAP tenancies this equates to €1,843,93231 per month.
There are 47,917 HAP tenancies in Ireland32. This is public money going into private
enterprises. By the end of the first quarter of 2019, the total number of active HAP
tenancies in Galway County was 1,052 and 1,465 in Galway City33. With the 2019 target for
HAP in Galway City Council being 491 and 322 in Galway County Council34, the number of
active HAPs will increase in Galway, therefore reducing the number of rental properties
available to rent to those who can afford them from their own income.
HAP does not provide a comparable level of security of tenure to social housing as private
landlords can still end tenancies, leaving households in precarious situations and at risk of
homelessness. Research from March 2018, showed that 5,938 households nationally have
left the HAP scheme, of which 1,612 were as a result of landlords exiting the scheme35.
27
Murphy, E. Housing Assistance Payment Data
Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 April 2019. Available at https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2019-04-02/590/.
Accessed 23 May 2019
28
John McCarthy. Committee of Public Accounts debate - Thursday, 28 Feb 2019 . Available at
https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/committee_of_public_accounts/2019-02-28/4/. Accessed 23.05. 2019
29
Deputy Paschal Donohoe . Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness. Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 April 2019.
https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2019-04-18/4/ Accessed 23.05. 2019
30
Rebuilding Ireland. HAP – Briefing. May 2018. 6
31
Figures worked out by multiplying number of active HAP by Average monthly payment in March 2018 for each local authority and
adding these together- (1052x661)+(1465x784) or (Gcoco x Avg) +(GCC x Avg). Figures from HAP – Briefing.
32
Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. Overall social housing provision. Rebuilding Ireland - Progress against
Targets. Available at https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision
Accessed 19.06.2019
33
Murphy, E. Housing Assistance Payment Data. Tuesday, 11 June 2019. Available at
https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2019-06-11/72/. Accessed 19.06.2019
34
Murphy, E. Housing Assistance Payment Data. Tuesday, 11 June 2019. Available at
https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2019-06-11/72/. Accessed 19.06.2019
35
For more details see Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. HAP – Briefing.May 2018. 8.
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Recent Focus Ireland Research on family homelessness found that over three-quarters of
the families surveyed have attempted to access HAP properties, with 61% of these
reported to have applied for over 20 different properties and 48% of those surveyed
reported reluctance on the part of landlords to rent their properties to HAP tenants36.
Social Housing supply - Recommendations
There is a need for a range of social housing options to meet the needs of the variety of
household compositions and age ranges as illustrated on tables 1, 2 & 3 below. Social Housing
through building benefits all the community as it increases the supply of homes. HAP is adding
demand to an already under pressure rental market. Social Housing builds represents value for
money as it creates an asset for local authorities, while HAP doesn’t as it is paying public money
to private landlords. With this in mind COPE Galway recommends:
Increase funding by €1,000m37 for the building of social housing. Ensure that all local
authorities reach their target for social housing building. Ensure social housing builds reflect
the needs of the community including adequate supplies of single person housing and housing
suitable for older people downsizing.
Housing Assistance Payment maximum limits should be increased to reflect true cost of
housing.
36
Long-et-al. Family Homelessness in Dublin: Causes, Housing Histories, and Finding a Home. Executive Summary 2019. 5
37
Amount suggested by Social Justice Ireland.
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Tackling Homelessness
The numbers becoming homeless are increasing. The effects of homelessness can be devastating
and the costs are high - to individuals, communities and systems of care. There are serious
impacts on the health and well-being of individuals who are homeless. There are many pathways
into homelessness but fundamentally the causes of homelessness are structural: unemployment,
poverty, inadequate mental health services and lack of good quality, affordable housing. Address
these and you can address homelessness.
In a local Galway context, many who become homeless across the County rely on city based
services to meet their needs and so are away from any family, community or social supports they
may have. On the night of June 25th 2019 for example, COPE Galway accommodated 43
households from Galway County local authority area with most placed in some form of emergency
accommodation in Galway City. In the case of families who become homeless, the primary option
available to them is a placement in private emergency accommodation such as B&B, Hotel or
other tourist accommodation. These settings are not a suitable response to homelessness and can
be detrimental to a child’s development if having to live there for extended periods of time.
Some pertinent points to consider;
The numbers becoming homeless are continuing to increase. The most recent published
figure for the numbers living in emergency accommodation nationally stood at 10,253, the
fourth month in a row in excess of 10,000. This included 324 adults and 200 children in the
western region covering Galway City and County, Mayo and Roscommon38.
Of the adults 138 were aged 65 or over, 11 of whom were in the West Region39.
The number of families and children who are experiencing homelessness is increasing, with
children making up more than a third of those who are homeless. In May 2019, 80 families
with 200 children homeless were in emergency accommodation in the west region40.
COPE Galway accommodates approximately two thirds of the numbers in emergency
accommodation in the west region in association with both Galway local
authorities. COPE Galway’s most recent 24 hour census of the numbers of people
experiencing homelessness and in touch with the organisation’s services on June 21st 2019
found that 174 households from across Galway City and County were living in emergency
accommodation provided via the organisation and a further 24 people were known to be
sleeping rough in Galway City. This represents a 20% increase on the same date in 2018.
Children experiencing homelessness are facing exhaustion, hunger and increased
vulnerability to illness due to poor living conditions and travelling long distances between
their accommodation and school41. Before being able to fully participate in school and
learning, children need adequate rest, a balanced diet and warm, clean clothing, those in
38
Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government. Homelessness Report May 2019
39
Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government. Homelessness Report May 2019
40
Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government. Homelessness Report May 2019
41
Scanlon , S. McKenna , G .Home Works: A Study on the Educational Needs of Children Experiencing Homelessness and Living in
Emergency Accommodation. 1980. 62
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private emergency accommodation were found to experience significant levels of need in
these areas42.
COPE Galway recognises that there are many issues families and children face. The
organisation previously piloted a programme, “Solas Og” to improve family dynamics and
build capacity in parents currently parenting in a non-traditional environment or crisis
setting. It is hoped to build and expand on this experience.
The costs of providing emergency accommodation are high, with €3,989,989 spent in
Galway on emergency homeless accommodation in 2018. €3,022,15343 of this was spent on
Private Emergency Accommodation. This is public funds being paid to private companies
as a response to the homelessness crisis.
We are witnessing an ever-increasing number of people rough sleeping in Galway. In 2018,
€479,360 was spent on additional emergency accommodation for rough sleepers during the
winter period44.
While this spending is welcomed, when Cold Weather Response closes, many of its users
return to rough sleeping. The only response COPE Galway can offer is donated sleeping
bags or blankets and day services. This is not an adequate response.
42
Scanlon , S. McKenna, G .Home Works: A Study on the Educational Needs of Children Experiencing Homelessness and Living in
Emergency Accommodation.1980. 62
43
Total spend in the west region was €5,888,769.
44
West Region Local Authority Homelessness Financial Report End of Year 2018
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Tacking Homelessness - Recommendations
It is evident to COPE Galway through our work with families who are homeless that some will
likely remain in emergency accommodation in settings such as B&Bs, Hotels and Family Hubs
for extended periods of time due the current acute shortage of housing supply in certain areas
including Galway. Families risk being institutionalised as a result of this. Some families also
have high support needs. With this in mind COPE Galway recommends:
Introduce a Housing First programme for families. A Housing First for Families Project in
Brno has met its goals of an 80% retention rate among those who have signed onto housing
agreements45 while a similar pilot in Ohio found that of 63 families and 15 single young
adults served, 89% remained in the program46.
Provide funding nationally for context specific training and support programmes for
families living in non-traditional settings such as B&Bs, Hotels, Family Hubs or Domestic
Abuse Refuges. COPE Galway estimate that to run this programme for a 100 participants
for 12 months would cost €60,000.
Move to an “own door” emergency response to family homelessness by providing the
necessary funding and flexibility to allow for the leasing of self-contained units for use for
this purpose. Parents should not be forced to raise children in B&Bs and Hotels.
Our experience in Galway is that individuals and families from rural areas who become
homeless and are in need of emergency accommodation have to go to Galway City for
assistance as the services are located there. With this in mind COPE Galway recommends:
Resource local authorities to ensure those experiencing homelessness do not have to leave
their communities to access emergency responses.
Provide funding for suitable age appropriate localised responses to homelessness for older
people currently reliant on homeless hostels and B&B placement ring fencing funding for a
youth specific Housing First option.
Provide funding to ensure there are an adequate number of emergency beds available year
round for those who are rough sleeping.
45
See Feantsa. News: Housing First in Brno Meets Goal and is Set for Expansion. Webcontent 11-Apr-18. Available at
https://www.feantsa.org/en/news/2018/04/11/news-housing-first-in-brno-meets-goal-and-is-set-for-expansion and Ripka, S. E
Černá, E. Krčál, O. Staněk, R. The Housing First for Families in Brno Trial Protocol: A Pragmatic Single-Site Randomized Control Trial of
Housing First Intervention for Homeless Families in Brno, Czech Republic. European Journal of Homelessness _ Volume 12, No. 1,
June 2018
46
C.C. Collins et al. Implementing housing first with families and young adults: challenges and progress toward self-sufficiency.
Children and Youth Services Review 96 (2019) 34–46.
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Addressing Youth Housing Need and Homelessness
COPE Galway is a member of the Irish Coalition to End Youth Homelessness. The coalition was
established in September 2017 as a way of consolidating the work of different organisations who
are trying to tackle youth homelessness. The number of young people aged 18-24 accessing State-
funded homeless services is increasing. However we believe the scale of this crisis is much larger.
We know there are young people sleeping on the streets of Galway or “sofa surfing” on friends’
and families’ couches or living in precarious accommodation, meaning they are not included in
official homeless figures. This is not a homogenous group – it includes young families, students,
and young people leaving care. They are one of the most vulnerable groups experiencing
homelessness and this can have a lasting impact. We also know young people can face
discrimination in the private rented sector47 and due to the short length of time they are on the
social housing list and their household size, they have very little hope of securing a social housing
allocation in the short to medium term. Points of note in respect of youth housing need and
homelessness include;
The latest homeless data indicates that there are 87948 young people aged between 18 and
24 homeless living in emergency accommodation. This is an increase of over 100
individuals from the same time in 201749. This is too high a number. Young people
experiencing homelessness must be moved into appropriate housing with supports as soon
as possible.
Young people who are homeless in Galway are accommodated in adult emergency
accommodation services with others up to 70 years plus.
Addressing Youth Housing Need and Homelessness - Recommendations
COPE Galway believes no young person should experience homelessness and for those who do
a dedicated response must be in place. COPE Galway recommends
Budget 2020 must provide funding for a youth specific housing first as well as suitable age
appropriate responses to homelessness.
Ensure young adults have a dedicated response to homelessness by developing a fully
funded Youth Homelessness Strategy.
47
For more details see Grotti, R.et al Discrimination and Inequality in Housing in Ireland. 2018
48
Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government. Homelessness Report May 2019
49
Department of Housing, Planning, Community & Local Government Homelessness Report May 2017
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Addressing Domestic Abuse
COPE Galway strives to ensure that all those who need support or refuge from domestic abuse are
accommodated. However the unfortunate reality is that due to limited capacity we cannot
always provide refuge to women and their children. COPE Galway was unable to immediately
accommodate 169 women and their 233 children who were seeking refuge from domestic abuse in
2018. We are working to address this situation with the development of our new centre for
Domestic Abuse Services, ‘Modh Eile House’ which will increase our capacity by 50% to 9 refuge
accommodation units.
Some points of note in respect of addressing domestic abuse include;
The estimates of the economic cost of domestic abuse ranges from €573m50 to approximately
€2.2 billion51, however it could be more52.
The Council of Europe recommends that safe accommodation for victims of violence be
available in every region, with one family place per 10,000 head of population53.
Tusla funding for domestic, sexual and gender based violence services increased to €25.3m in
2019, up from €23.8m in 201854. Further funding is needed to ensure all those in need of
assistance in relation to domestic abuse can be responded to.
Addressing Domestic Abuse - Recommendations
COPE Galway believes that all those seeking shelter from abuse should be accommodated and
therefore recommends:
Provide funding to ensure all those seeking refuge from domestic abuse are accommodated by
starting the process of moving towards ensuring at least 1 refuge place per 10,000 of
population
50
The Women’s Health Council. Violence Against Women & Health 2007. 17
51
The National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence. What is the cost of domestic violence?
Available at http://www.cosc.ie/en/COSC/Pages/WP08000112. Accessed 18/06/2017
52
Safe Ireland. Domestic Violence Costing the Economy More than Previously Thought. October 4, 2018. Available at
https://www.safeireland.ie/domestic-violence-costing-the-economy-more-than-previously-thought/. Accessed 18/06/2019
53
Council of Europe. Final Activity Report of the Council of Europe Task Force to Combat Violence against Women, including
Domestic Violence.2008.51
54
Zappone, K. Written answers. Tuesday, 5 March 2019. Available at https://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=2019-03-05a.1271.
Accessed 18/06/2019
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Addressing the needs of Older people
As the demographics of Ireland change with more of us living longer, the country will face
challenges in the areas of healthcare, pensions and housing. It is important to plan for these
challenges now. The stated Government policy ‘to support older people to live in their own home
with dignity and independence for as long as possible’55 is in line with the preferred choice of the
majority of older people to remain living independently.
Some points of note in respect of addressing the needs of older people include;
Ireland’s population is projected to reach 5.64 million by 2038 with more than one in five
people expected to be aged 65 years or older56. This will have major implications on
health and social care services.
Those aged 65 and older saw the largest increase in population between 2011 and 2016,
rising by 102,174 to 637,567, a rise of 19.1%. The 2016 census recorded 456 centenarians,
an increase of 17.2% on 201157.
Over half a million in this older age group lived in private households, an increase of
19.6%, while those in nursing homes increased by 1,960 to 22,76258.
The ESRI report on health care projections noted that demand for home care packages is
to increase by between 44% and 66% by 2030 from a level of 15,300 in 2015 while the
demand for Home Help hours is projected to increase by 38% to 54% from a level of 14.3
million hours during the same time period59.
By 2031, the Health Service Capacity Review anticipates that the number of people
receiving Home Care Packages will sit at approximately 26,600 per month and demand for
Home Help hours is set to increase to approximately 82,000 people60.
Currently a nutritional assessment is not a standard part of Home Care Packages.
As the Home Care System currently operates, services can be limited and waiting lists
long. As of October 2018 there were 6,324 people nationally waiting on funding for Home
Support Services61.
There are 6,239 households nationally whose main applicant who qualified for Social
Housing Support is aged 60 or over62.
There are 156,799 people aged 65 and over living alone in Ireland63. An older person living
alone tends to be more susceptible to income inadequacy64
55
Government of Ireland. Housing Options for Our Ageing Population Policy Statement 1
56
Department of Health, Health in Ireland. Key Trends 2018. 3
57
Central Statistics Office. Press Statement Census 2016 Results Profile 3 - An Age Profile of Ireland
58
Central Statistics Office. Press Statement Census 2016 Results Profile 3 - An Age Profile of Ireland
59
ESRI. Projections of Demand for Healthcare in Ireland, 2015-2030: First Report from the Hippocrates Model. October 2017: xxvii
60
Health Service Capacity Review 2018. 56-58
61
https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/personalpq/pq/2018-pq-responses/nov-2018/pq-49482-18-stephen-s-donnelly.pdf
62
See table 3
63
Central Statistics Office. Census of Population 2016 - Profile 3 An Age Profile of Ireland
64
For more details.See Vicentian Partnership for Social Justice. MESL Pre-Budget 2020. June 2019.6
14 | P a g ePre-Budget Submission – Budget 2020
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Research suggests that of those aged 60 and over living alone, 58.7% were living in a house
with five rooms or more and 17% were living in a house with 7 rooms or more65.
Research of 554 adults aged 55+ suggests that only a small fraction of homes are
‘futureproofed’: the survey showed less than 40% of homes as having adequate storage for
walking aids or a wheelchair, while less than 30% have widened doorways66.
Funding levels of €71.25 million in 2019 for Housing Adaptations Grants for Older People
and People with a Disability67 still remain below 2010 levels (as illustrated in table 7
below). COPE Galway welcomes this investment which aims to enable older people and
people with disabilities to remain living independently in their own homes for longer.
However, anecdotal evidence from COPE Galway’s front line older people’s services
indicates that as the Home Adaptation Grant process currently operates, it falls far short
of what is required due to the limited funding available, onerous application processes and
long processing time-frames.
The state pension is a vital source of income for many older people and while there was an
increase of €5 in last year’s budget, this was not implemented until the last week of March
2019.
‘A Roadmap for Pensions Reform 2018 – 2023’ notes that, in order to fulfil the objective of
providing a basic level of adequacy, the rate of State pension contributory payment should
be set at a level of approximately 34/35% of average earnings68. Social Justice Ireland
estimates that this equates to €262.66/270.38, leaving a shortfall of between €14.36 and
€22.0869 for those receiving full State Pension (Contributory).
The Fuel Allowance Scheme is vital in assisting older people in meeting the cost of their
heating needs during the winter season. The fuel allowance payment period was reduced
in 2012 to 26 weeks. However home energy prices increased by an average of 4.6% in the
last year and by 29.9% since 201070. In 2018 Ireland had the highest increase in gas prices
and the fifth highest increase in electricity prices in the EU71.
In 2017 the proportion of the population that went without heating due to lack of money
was 8.1%, or 393,417 people72.
‘The Climate Action Plan 2019 to Tackle Climate Breakdown’ pledges to implement a
carbon tax rate of at least €80 per tonne by 203073. An ESRI report investigating the
potential economic impacts of an increase in the carbon tax for Ireland from €20 per
tonne of CO2 to €25, €30, €35 and €40 suggests that an increase in carbon tax will not
mean a significant increase in fuel poverty or have a greater impact on more vulnerable
65
Alone. Housing Choices for Older People in Ireland. Time for Action. 2018.14
66
Amárach Research. Housing for Older People – Thinking Ahead.2016.10
67
Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. Minister English announces €71.25 million funding to Improve the Homes
of Older People and People with a Disability. 11 Mar 2019 . Available at https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/special-housing-
needs/older-people/minister-english-announces-eu7125-million-funding-improve. Accessed 25. 06.2019
68
Government of Ireland. A Roadmap for Pensions Reform 2018 – 2023. 5.
69
Social Justice Ireland. Budget Choices. June 2019.9
70
Figure from Vicentian Partnership for Social Justice. MESL Pre-Budget 2020. June 2019.7
71
Eurostat. Energy prices in 2018 . 21 May 2019.
72
Social Justice Ireland. Almost 400,000 people experience fuel deprivation while Ireland is among top 5 for energy price hikes. 22nd
May 2019. Accessed 19.06.2019
73
Government of Ireland. The Climate Action Plan 2019. To Tackle Climate Breakdown. 2019
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households. However with regards to the costs for households in terms of percentage of
income, poorer households will feel the burden of an increased carbon tax74. Regardless of
how significant or great the impact is, COPE Galway feels any impact for those who are
already struggling must be minimised. With this in mind COPE Galway welcomes the plan
to establish ‘A Just Transition Review Group’.
Addressing the needs of Older People - Recommendations
COPE Galway believes that the needs of older people in our community should be a priority focus
and recommends providing for the following in Budget 2020
Resource the development of an adequate range and supply of mixed accommodation with a
continuum of supports available to respond as care needs develop to ensure older people have
the suitable option to ‘downsize’ in the same area where they currently live and where they
have the most community, family and social support in keeping with the key principle
underpinning Government housing policy to support older people to live in their own home
with dignity and independence for as long as possible75. This in turn has the potential to free
up larger accommodation units that are currently underutilised.
Include a nutritional assessment in the proposed statutory scheme for the provision of
homecare services planned by Government.
Speed up the processing time of home adaptation grants and increase funding levels to where
they were in 2010 to help ensure that older people and those with a disability are not living in
unsuitable accommodation.
Increase pension rates by €9 per week76 and
Increase Fuel Allowance rates to €25.95 per week and reintroduce a 32 week payment77.
Increase the Living Alone Allowance by €5 per week. Social Justice Ireland estimates the cost
of this to be €55m78.
Ring fence funding to counter balance the negative economic effects on older people and
others who are vulnerable or experiencing poverty that will result from any Carbon Tax
increases in Budget 2020.
74
ESRI. The Economic and Environmental Impacts of Increasing the Irish Carbon Tax.2018.34
75
Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and Department of Health; Housing Options for Our Ageing
Population Policy Statement. 2019
76
As recommended by Social Justice Ireland.
77
As recommended by Social Justice Ireland and Vincent de Paul.
78
Social Justice Ireland. Budget Choices.
16 | P a g ePre-Budget Submission – Budget 2020
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Improving Social Welfare provision
Social Welfare is an important and vital social safety net without which many would experience
poverty and deprivation. 43.8% of the population would have been living in poverty in 201779 if
not for social welfare. For many clients of COPE Galway it is a vital source of income: for some of
those in our domestic abuse refuge it means they are not financially dependent on an abusive
partner; for families who are homeless and without access to cooking facilities when living in B&B
and Hotel accommodation it means being able to buy a hot meal and for those who are
experiencing homelessness it is the financial lifeline they need to exit homelessness. Recent
Focus Ireland research on Family Homelessness highlighted that 69% of surveyed families were
unemployed, emphasising the link between low income and risk of homelessness80. Budget 2019
delivered a welcome increase to the minimum social welfare payment. From March 2019 onwards
it increased by €5 per week to €203.
However as it currently stands social welfare levels are inadequate and those who are younger
are unfairly discriminated against. The following are some aspects of the current social welfare
provision which COPE Galway consider should be addressed in Budget 2020:
Budget 2007 placed a benchmark of 30% of Gross Average Industrial Earnings (GAIE) on
minimum social welfare rates. The CSO has discontinued its Industrial Earnings and Hours
Worked dataset and replaced it with a more complete set of income statistics. Social
Justice Ireland found that 30% of GAIE is equivalent to 27.5% of the new average earnings
data81. Social Justice Ireland estimates in 2019 this equates to social welfare rates of €212
per week82.
To live independently young people have the same Minimum Standard of Living needed as
older adults, therefore requiring the same level of financial support. Having a reduced
rate of social welfare payment for younger people does not provide for an adequate
income, or enable young people to live at an acceptable level without significant familial
support. While many young people have a strong support network of family, some do not
and so the reduced rate of social welfare available to them can have a negative impact if
living outside of the family home. For others their family may not have the ability to
support them financially.
Improving Social Welfare Provision - Recommendations
Social Welfare is a vital support for many experiencing poverty and deprivation. COPE Galway
recommends:
Closing the gap between actual social welfare payments and 27.5% of the new average
earnings data by increasing social welfare payments by €9 per week83.
Ending the unfair economic discrimination facing young people by equalising all social
welfare rates.
79
Social Justice Ireland. Indexation of Social Welfare Rates. March 2019.5
80
Long, et al. Family Homelessness in Dublin: Causes, Housing Histories, and Finding a Home
Executive Summary.2019.5
81
Social Justice Matters. Socio Economic Review 2018. 61.
82
Social Justice Matters. Budget Choices. June 2019.9.
83
As recommended by Social Justice Ireland. Budget Choices. June 2019
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Addressing Healthcare
The effectiveness of the Irish healthcare system, whether public or private, is of immense
importance to all and is fundamental to the wellbeing of a growing and ageing population.
However the system is under great strain.
Ireland’s two-tier healthcare system means that private patients have speedier access to both
diagnostics and treatment, while those in the public system can face lengthy waiting lists. Despite
the prevalence of mental health problems and their often chronic and debilitating nature, Irish
public health policy has repeatedly failed to provide the required resources to tackle these. The
following clearly illustrate this;
In 2017, Ireland’s expenditure on healthcare was 7.1% of our GDP; this is at the lower end
of spending in the EU with the EU28 average being 9.6%84. The funding made available to
the HSE in 2019 was €16,050 million, an increase of 5.6% on 201885.
The Sláintecare Report was adopted by the Government and published in May 2017. Its
vision was to ‘achieve a universal single-tier health and social care system where
everyone has equitable access to services based on need, and not ability to pay’86. It
suggested that €500 million per annum for the next 6 years would be required to support
the infrastructure to implement the plan87. However, just over €200 million of this was
provided this year for Sláintecare88.
5.1% of hospital discharges during 2015 were related to five chronic conditions which could
have avoided hospital admission through better management of these conditions by way of
primary care services89. However the Irish health care system is unusual within Europe as it
does not provide universal equitable access to primary care90.
Countries with a strong primary care sector have better health outcomes, greater equity,
lower mortality rates and lower overall costs of healthcare91. It was expected that Primary
Care Teams would have been operational by the end of 2011 with an estimated 95% of the
population to receive the care needed within their local community92. By February 2019
there were only 127 Primary Care Centres throughout the country93.
Ireland has one of the highest estimated prevalence of mental health disorders in Europe
with rates of 18.5% or more of the population having at least one disorder94, costing €8,299
million in 201595.
84
European Commission. Health at a Glance. Europe 2018. 135.
85
Health Service Executive. National Service Plan 2019.5
86
Department of Health. Sláintecare Action Plan 2019.8
87
Oireachtas Committee on the Future of Healthcare – Sláintecare Report .131
88
Harris, S. Select Committee on Health debate - Wednesday, 10 Apr 2019. Available at
https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/select_committee_on_health/2019-04-10/3/. Accessed 2.06.2019
89
European Commission. Health at a Glance. Europe 2018. 2018.48
90
Connolly S. Wren, M (2019) Universal Health Care in Ireland—What Are the Prospects for Reform?, Health Systems & Reform, 5:2,
94-99
91
Department of Health. Better Health, Improving Health Care.2016.17
92
Department of Health and Children. Annual Report 2010. 24
93
Department of Health. Primary Care Centres – Progress Report 26.4.2019.2
94
European Commission. Health at a Glance. Europe 2018.2018.22
95
European Commission. Health at a Glance. Europe 2018.2018.28
18 | P a g ePre-Budget Submission – Budget 2020
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The mental health budget for 2019 is €987.4 million, an increase of 7.9%96. This equates to
6.15%97 of the total health budget. Slaintecare recommends 10% be ring fenced and
prioritised for mental health services98.
The HSE recognises that over 90% of mental health needs can be treated successfully in a
primary care setting, with less than 10% needing referral to specialist community-based
mental health services99.
Some users of COPE Galway Homeless Services experience difficulties when accessing
mental health services while suffering from an addiction. This is categorised as dual
diagnosis.
The link between homelessness and ill health is well established. People who are homeless
are susceptible to experiencing poor mental health and are more vulnerable to addiction
problems100. For those categorised as having a dual diagnosis, having an addiction can
mean the refusal of mental health treatment until the addiction has been treated,
meaning for some their mental health issues can remain untreated.
As of April 2019 the prescription charge stands at €1.50 per item for people aged over 70.
COPE Galway are concerned that this prescription charge is an economic barrier to
accessing healthcare especially for those who are already marginalised.
Recommendations – Healthcare
COPE Galway firmly believes the majority of the health needs of the population can be met
locally by directing the model of care towards primary and community care. COPE Galway
recommends:
Investing the €500m infrastructure allocation set out in Sláintecare101.
Increasing the availability and quality of Primary Care by investing €150m in the roll out of
primary care networks102.
Reducing prescription charges to €1.50 for all medical card holders.
Ensure medical card-coverage for all people who are vulnerable by increasing the income
threshold.
Increasing funding for mental health services to at least 10% of total healthcare budget.
Ring fencing funding to ensure that those who present with dual diagnosis are receiving
adequate treatment. A “no wrong door” approach as recommended by the Joint
Committee on the Future of Mental Health Care should be embedded into the Irish health
services to ensure treatment.
Provide €50m for alcohol treatment and addiction programmes103
Introduce a statutory entitlement to homecare as soon as possible. Ensure this scheme is
properly funded and ensure equitable access throughout the country.
96
Health Service Executive. National Service Plan 2019.117
97
Income and Expenditure 2019 Allocation for HSE equals €16,050.m. €987.4 equates to 6.15% of this figure. All figures available at
Health Service Executive. National Service Plan 2019.117-118.
98
Joint Committee on the Future of Mental Health Care – Final Report.2018.5
99
Health Service Executive. National Service Plan 2019 .53
100
See Homelessness: An Unhealthy State.2015 & Homelessness and Mental Health: Voices of Experience.2017
101
As recommended by Social Justice Ireland. Budget Choices. June 2019
102
As recommended by Social Justice Ireland. Budget Choices. June 2019
103
As recommended by Social Justice Ireland. Budget Choices. June 2019
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Tables
Table 1 - Age Profile of Households (Main Applicant) Qualified for Social Housing Support by
Local Authority104
Local Less 25-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70 years TOTAL
authority than years years years years years old or
25 years more
Galway 103 197 549 502 251 113 13 1,728
City
Galway 98 206 501 444 312 193 65 1,819
County
National 5,444 10,072 23,105 16,992 10,006 4,676 1,563 71,858
Table 2 - Household Composition of Those Qualified for Social Housing Support by Local
Authority105
Local Single Person Single Person Couple with Multi-Adult TOTAL
authority Household with child/ or without Household
children child/children
Galway City 924 400 399 5 1,728
Galway 897 490 427 5 1,819
County
National 33,556 22,195 15,643 464 71,858
104
Housing Agency. Summary of Social Housing Assessments. 2018.28
105
Housing Agency. 2018.34
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Table 3 - Breakdown of Accommodation Requirements of Those Qualified for Social Housing
support by Local Authority106
Local General Enduring Homeless Traveller 65 years TOTAL
authority (no specific physical, or more
requirements) sensory, mental
health
or intellectual
issue
Galway 1,349 179 120 43 37 1,728
City
Galway 1,483 155 32 97 52 1,819
County
National 59,230 4,037 5,329 1,295 1,967 71,858
Table 4 - Breakdown of both Local Authority Social Housing Provision107.
Local All Acquisit Leasing RAS HAP Total 2018 % of % of
Authorit Build ion Total 2018 Social 2018 build
y Total* Total** Output Housin target target
under g Achieve Achieve
Rebuildin Deliver d d
g Ireland y
Targets
Galway 24 28 2 30 537 621 399 156% 25%
City
Galway 76 27 5 6 352 466 532 88% 119%
County
National 4,811 2,610 1001 755 17,926 27,103 25,469 106% 97%
*Includes New builds by Local Authority, Approved Housing Body, Part V and Local Authority
Voids.
** Includes Local Authority and Approved Housing Body Acquisitions
106
Housing Agency. 2018.38
107
See Minister Eoghan Murphy publishes breakdown of social housing delivery in 2018 on a local authority basis, Available at
http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-eoghan-murphy-publishes-breakdown-of-social-housing-delivery-in-2018-on-a-local-
authority-basis/
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