Letter to the Irish Times: Why manners matter – Renewed focus needed

Sir, – Sadly the lack of manners is widespread in our society, regardless of what paper one decides to read (Letters, April 24th). Doesn’t this say so much about respect for oneself and others?

A renewed focus on manners could go a long way in helping people feel that they matter.

Thankfully, we experience amazing courtesy every day from the people who use our service, all of whom are homeless, many of them coming from outside the island of Ireland. – Yours, etc,

ALICE LEAHY,

Link: https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2024/04/25/why-manners-matter/

Irish Times: The human factor is key to helping citizens

Faith in public service is restored

Sir, – The embarrassment of being put off the bus in front of my neighbours, with an out-of-date public service card, with very small print, was facing me, having not received a letter I was informed was posted to me pre-Christmas.

A quick internet search for a number to ring was easy. The pre-recorded message, interspersed with music I could dance a jig to, informed me that all lines were busy and an “agent” would be with me as soon as possible. Eventually my call was answered, followed by a number of questions, including what was my mother’s maiden name. I was advised to contact my local Intreo Centre (Department of Social Protection), yes another new name now! I didn’t relish doing so based on past experience.

I called in to D’Olier House in Dublin and in the space of five minutes my faith in public service was restored. I met the most helpful, professional woman with a wonderful smile that would brighten one’s day, Joan. She even offered to give me a letter to ensure my bus trip would be embarrassment-free pending arrival of my updated card. Joan clearly saw me as a fellow human being, not just a statistic to facilitate box-ticking. We clearly need people like her to help people feel they do matter, and there are a lot of people needing services in our technical-dependent age who feel they don’t matter. – Yours, etc,

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

See: https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2024/03/27/the-human-factor-is-key-to-helping-citizens/

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/