CATU Calls For Picket On Fingal Council As Family Forced Into Homelessness

The Community Action Tenants Union (CATU) is calling on Fingal County Council to carry out a homeless assessment and provide suitable emergency accommodation to Marsela and her son, Raul, after the pair were refused assistance earlier this week.

Marsela and Raul, who have been living in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) at the D Hotel in County Louth, were recently granted international protection. According to CATU, conditions at the D Hotel were inadequate and had a serious impact on Raul's health. He developed severe asthma while living in the centre, resulting in permanent lung damage.

IPAS wanted to forcibly relocate the family to accommodation in Mayo. However, Marsela and Raul declined the offer, citing medical concerns about the suitability of the proposed accommodation. CATU also notes that Raul is currently studying at Maynooth University, and the move would have meant he would have had to stop his education.

The family has been registered on Fingal County Council's housing list for several years, as Raul previously attended school in Fingal.

After leaving the IPAS system on 7 July, Marsela and Raul presented to Fingal County Council seeking a homeless assessment and emergency accommodation. CATU says the council refused to assess or accommodate them on the grounds that they had declined the offer of IPAS accommodation in Mayo.

CATU argues that the family's refusal was based on legitimate medical grounds and that Fingal County Council has a responsibility to assess their homelessness and provide emergency accommodation that is suitable for Raul's medical needs.

The union is calling on Fingal County Council to urgently reverse its decision, carry out a homeless assessment, and ensure that Marsela and Raul are provided with safe and appropriate emergency accommodation.

CATU Finglas is also calling on supporters to join an upcoming picket in solidarity with Marsela and Raul and to demand that Fingal County Council provide the family with an immediate homeless assessment and suitable emergency accommodation.

For details of the picket, including the time and location, see the CATU Finglas picket information document.