Irish Times: Past, present and future – Country wisdom

Sir, – Patrick Freyne, writing about Patrick Joyce’s book Remembering Peasants, gives us a great reminder of the not too distant past, and how easy it has become for us to forget “our postmodern world is locked in a continuous present tense” (“Learning from our peasant past: ‘We might have to live on the edge. We may have to learn to be survivors’”, Books, February 10th).

In our rush to solve life’s problems, often even around our most pressing issues, health and homelessness, a degree of reflection free of soundbites, blame and management speak could go some way to instil optimism and help us navigate through these challenging times. – Yours, etc,

ALICE LEAHY,
Director of Services,
Alice Leahy Trust,
Dublin 8.

See: https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2024/02/14/past-present-and-future/

“Just reaching out . . . ” Bandwidth challenges (Irish Times)

Sir, – An email I received recently from a master’s student in one of our well-known universities who wanted to be put in touch with homeless people for research purposes highlighted how nonsensical things have become. It started off “Hi Gatekeeper – I am reaching out to you.” Justine’s article has reassured me that I am not alone as I head into the New Year optimistic that things might change. Hope springs eternal. – Yours, etc,

ALICE LEAHY,

Director of Services,

https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2023/12/30/just-reaching-out/

Redefining homelessness – Definitions can limit discussion rather than enhance it

Sir, – Daniel K O’Sullivan (Letters, November 11th) reminds us of how we continue to ignore that which is unacceptable to current thinking when discussing homelessness.

Working in the field of homelessness for years, I have seen politicians, ministers and expert groups come and go, and are we further removed now from understanding the complexities and obvious remedies than we ever were?
It is important to reflect at times on what was possible during that time with objectivity. Many people lived happy lives in bedsits including this writer.

More importantly many people who fitted the definition of homelessness at the time also lived happily in bedsits – cramped conditions by today’s standards. Homeless people we meet today include couples sleeping in fragile tents, with only a cuddle to keep warm as accommodation for couples is limited. Some people are fearful of hostel accommodation, despite of the hard work of staff. Hotel accommodation in some cases is no better than the bedsits we continue to dismiss. However, one clear difference is how much it is costing the taxpayer. The debate on homelessness needs to be much broader than just redefining homelessness. Definitions can limit discussion rather than enhance it. – Yours, etc,

ALICE LEAHY,
Director of Services,
Alice Leahy Trust,
Dublin 8.

Link: https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2023/11/14/redefining-homelessness/#:~:text=Homeless%20people%20we%20meet%20today,bedsits%20we%20continue%20to%20dismiss

Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use – A time for fresh thinking

Sir, – The letter from Peter Reynolds (October 3rd) captures how we as a country deal with issues that we all should be concerned about.

Drug use is widespread in our country and our elected public representatives owe it to those concerned about our future, not least our democracy, to look beyond the findings of this assembly comprised of 99 people from a jurisdiction with a population of five million. – Yours, etc,

ALICE LEAHY,

Director of Services

Link: https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2023/10/04/citizens-assembly-on-drugs-use