Ireland is one of the most globalized countries in the world. Despite this economic wealth, the number of people being homeless in Ireland has not decreased, the exact opposite is the case: The rate of homelessness “[...] is now greater than at any stage in the country’s history since the Great Famine.” However, the law explaining the definition of homelessness was only enacted in 1988, which is why there are no official numbers before that time.
Nevertheless, in the last four years, the amount of homeless people increased by 35%, compared to 2016. As far as Dublin is concerned, there were estimated 1,200 homeless persons in 1984, whereas in 2017 the number has risen to 5,009. Therefore, homelessness in Ireland is becoming a more serious problem. That being the case, this term paper will inform about homelessness in Ireland, which is still an issue these days.
Obdachlosigkeit in Irland nimmt immer mehr zu und wird gerade in Corona Zeiten zu einem großen Problem. Diese Seminararbeit setzt sich mit dem Themengebiet der Wohnungslosigkeit in Irland auseinander und geht dabei auf verschiedene Faktoren und Informationen ein. Diese Punkte werden in der Arbeit abgearbeitet:
- General Information about Homelessness
- Reasons for Homelessness in Ireland
- Life in Hotel Rooms
- Life on the street
- Measures Implemented by the Irish Government
- General Measures Against Homelessness
- Ireland´s Homelessness Compared to Other European Countries
- Homelessness in Ireland During Corona Crisis
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. General Information about Homelessness
2.1. Definition of Homelessness
2.2. Facts about Homelessness in Ireland
3. Reasons for Homelessness in Ireland
4. Different Types of Homelessness in Ireland
4.1. Life in Hotel Rooms
4.2. Life on the Street
5. Measures Against Homelessness
5.1. Measures Implemented by the Irish Government
5.2. General Measures Against Homelessness
6. Ireland´s Homelessness Compared to Other European Countries
7. Homelessness in Ireland During Corona Crisis
8. Conclusion
9. Bibliography
Research Objectives and Key Topics
The primary objective of this term paper is to examine the growing crisis of homelessness in Ireland, analyzing its causes, the daily realities of those affected, and the efficacy of current governmental and societal measures in light of recent socio-economic challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The historical and legal context of homelessness in Ireland.
- Social and political root causes contributing to the housing crisis.
- Differentiated living conditions for homeless individuals in hotels versus on the streets.
- Comparative analysis of homelessness rates between Ireland, Germany, and Great Britain.
- The exacerbating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable populations and service accessibility.
Excerpt from the Book
4.1 Life in Hotel Rooms
Normally, hotels are considered sites of rest associated with a beautiful vacation. Nonetheless, they “become sites of rupture when used as temporary accommodation [...]” by families who have lost their home due to the housing crisis in Ireland. The expensive private rented sector and insufficient supply of social housing lead to the raised number of hotels being used as a provisional place to live.
In October 2018, 850 families including 1,926 children were living in hotel rooms. While hotels are usually an opportunity to switch off from daily life, for families presenting as homeless, they mean a restriction on the performance of daily duties. Moreover, the conditions for homeless families living in hotel rooms are unideal.
For example, they are not allowed to use the hotels’ household appliances such as a washing machine or a cooker, which is why many live on fast-food and take-away meals. In turn, this causes malnutrition, as well as high costs regarding food or laundrette. Additionally, children and toddlers show a dysfunctional development like problems with crawling or walking because of the limited space in the hotel room.
But not only children suffer from the bad conditions in the hotel rooms. It has been proved that life in hotels for homeless adults has a negative impact on both physical and mental health, too. Most grown-ups have to give up their job in order to take care about their children having problems with their development. They also exhibit an unstable mental health because the only thing they can think of is finding a place where they can move to next. It is also important to note that homeless families in hotels are excluded and humiliated by the hoteliers. More specifically, they are, among other things, forced to use a separate door to other hotel guests. Instead of the main door, they have to use the “homeless door.”
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter contextualizes the severity of homelessness in Ireland, highlighting the drastic increase in numbers since 2016 and stating the paper's intent to explore this ongoing issue.
2. General Information about Homelessness: This section defines homelessness legally and provides statistical data, noting the difficulties in capturing the "hidden homeless" population.
3. Reasons for Homelessness in Ireland: This chapter analyzes the interplay between personal issues and systemic political failures, specifically citing the broken housing system and rising costs.
4. Different Types of Homelessness in Ireland: This section details the harsh realities faced by individuals, distinguishing between the challenges of temporary hotel accommodation and the dangers of sleeping rough on the streets.
5. Measures Against Homelessness: This chapter evaluates historical and contemporary government strategies, noting the persistent growth of the problem despite increased state funding and policy implementation.
6. Ireland´s Homelessness Compared to Other European Countries: This analysis puts Ireland’s homelessness statistics into a European perspective, highlighting the rapid rate of increase compared to Germany and Great Britain.
7. Homelessness in Ireland During Corona Crisis: This chapter discusses how the pandemic worsened the crisis by causing economic instability and restricting access to essential services and soup kitchens.
8. Conclusion: The concluding chapter summarizes the main arguments, emphasizing the need for urgent government intervention to reverse the current trajectory of the housing crisis.
9. Bibliography: This section lists the academic sources, policy papers, and online articles used for research.
Keywords
Homelessness, Ireland, Housing Crisis, Social Marginalization, Poverty, Public Policy, Emergency Accommodation, Hotelisation, Rough Sleepers, Socio-economic Impact, COVID-19, Homeless Preventative Strategy, Urban Development, Mental Health, Social Inclusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the homelessness crisis in Ireland, examining why the issue persists and how it impacts different segments of society.
What are the central themes discussed in this work?
The core themes include the definition and scale of homelessness, systemic causes like the housing market failure, the specific conditions of temporary vs. street homelessness, and governmental response strategies.
What is the primary research question?
The paper seeks to explain why homelessness in Ireland remains a critical and growing issue despite government interventions and economic wealth.
Which scientific methods were applied?
The author utilizes a qualitative analytical approach, relying on literature reviews, policy analysis, and the evaluation of statistical data from governmental and NGO sources to illustrate current trends.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers definitions, historical context, social and political causes, comparative European data, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and potential solutions through policy improvements.
How would you characterize the work with specific keywords?
The work is best defined by terms such as homelessness, housing crisis, social policy, Ireland, and socio-economic marginalization.
How do hotel living conditions affect families?
Living in hotels causes significant restrictions on daily life, leads to malnutrition due to a lack of cooking facilities, and causes developmental issues in children due to confined living spaces.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic influence the homelessness situation?
The pandemic increased economic instability, leading to job losses and making it harder for homeless individuals to access support services like soup kitchens, which were forced to close due to health guidelines.
Is Ireland significantly more affected than other countries?
While Germany and Great Britain may show higher absolute numbers, the paper argues that Ireland is heavily affected due to the alarming, rapid rate at which its homelessness population has tripled over a short period.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2020, Homelessness in Ireland – still an issue these days, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1007920
