IPOA PRESS RELEASE 8th December 2006
for immediate release
LANDLORD’S ORGANISATION (IPOA) LAUNCHES “HOME FOR CHRISTMAS” FUND
The Irish Property Owners Association (IPOA) has launched its annual fund Home for Christmas to donate money to charities for the Christmas period.
This year Focus Ireland is the recipient of €25,000 generously contributed by IPOA members and a presentation will be made to Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy, Life President of Focus Ireland on Monday next 11th December in the Stanhope Project, Stanhope Street, Dublin 7 at 1pm
Outlining the fund, Chairman of the IPOA Stephen Faughnan highlights the urgent need that Focus Ireland has for funding in their work to support people who are out of a home. “Our members are aware that it is not always appropriate to house homeless people in the private rental sector but it is totally unacceptable that people with difficulties are homeless. These people need support and help and Focus Ireland provides this. I hope that this small donation will make a difference”.
He goes on to state that during next year alone some 90,000 new homes will be built in Ireland and according to economic reports 43% of these units will be purchased by investors thereby handing €4.6 billion to the exchequer. (40% of new house sales goes to the state coffers) and annually, €220 million will go to the state in income tax from the 2007 new house purchases by investors alone. Yet there has been no mention of the homeless in this month’s budget speech.
Stephen Faughnan is calling on the government to set aside €50 million from that €4.6 billion contribution that will be paid by property owners to be allocated to help deal with homelessness in 2007. He points out that it is the government’s responsibility to house people. “Next year a general election will take place, how can we elect a Government if they ignore the most vulnerable people in our society?”
Photo Call: 1p.m. Monday, 11th December 2006, Focus Ireland, Stanhope Street.
For further information, contact Sara Corcoran/Gemma Ryan, tel. 087 7624258/087 7643788 e-mail: ion@indigo.ie
ENDS