Director of Advocacy, Communications and Research @FocusIreland: challenging homelessness, changing lives. Former President of @Feantsa.
Joined June 2012
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Mike Allen retweeted
Absolutely stoked that Democracy for Sale won specialist newsletter of the year at the Future of Media awards!! 😀
Huge thanks to all our supporters - and if you don't already follow us, do! democracyforsale.substack.co…
Mike Allen retweeted
Focus Ireland has said a record of approximately 18,800 people used its services last year
rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/090…
Mike Allen retweeted
Minister James Browne's comments on the Office of the Planning Regulator in today's Sunday Business Post are deeply concerning. The OPR's remit is set out in 2018 legislation. Its activities, as detailed on its website, are clearly within this remit 🧵 businesspost.ie/politics/dys…
Mike Allen retweeted
In March the government introduced rent regulations that disincentivise supply of regulated tenancies, in proper dwellings by small landlords who pay 50%ish tax on rent. In April it incentivised supply of fancy sheds subject to no tax, occupied by licencees with no tenancy rights
Tánaiste Simon Harris says he believes there is a logic to allowing homeowners to rent out modular units in their gardens and claim tax relief jrnl.ie/6998308
Mike Allen retweeted
Homelessness can be solved if the right policies and political are in place. While we welcomed much of the Govt's new housing strategy, it will be judged by results. State must deliver more 1 & 4 bed homes to speed up exits for families & individuals trapped in homelessness.
Mike Allen retweeted
New figures issued by the Department of Housing show another record total of 15,915 people now homeless.
This is an increase of 168 people for June 2025 on the 15,747 people homeless in May.
The figures show that homelessness has risen 11% in the last year when compared with June 2024.
There are now 4,958 children in 2,320 families who are homeless.
Reacting to the figures Focus Ireland CEO Pat Dennigan said: “We should always take time to remember that behind every single number is a man, woman or child suffering the trauma of losing their home. Homelessness hurts everyone and it hurts children the most. It is heartbreaking that nearly 5,000 children are having their childhoods stolen one day at a time. We need to end child homelessness for good.’’
Regrettable, divisive stuff. It has always been completely in the power of the Irish state to give homeless people a legal right to shelter. “Court ruling would give newly arrived asylum seekers more rights than homeless people, Minister claims” irishtimes.com/crime-law/202…
Mike Allen retweeted
irishexaminer.com/news/arid-… We held a special event today to highlight the serious issues with HAP that are acting to drive people into homelessness. Delighted to have a rep from @OfficeOmbudsman & @mcmnorris speaking today with @MikeAllenFI & Head of A&I @focusireland Conor Roe.
Mike Allen retweeted
Mother describes being made homeless as 'traumatic' and 'difficult' rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/062…
Mike Allen retweeted
New figures issued by the Department of Housing show yet another new record high total of 15,747 people are now homeless. This is an increase of 167 people for May 2025 on the 15,580 people homeless in April.
The May figures also found 69 more children (4,844) and 28 more families (2,273)compared to April 2025. The figures show that homelessness has risen 11% in the last year when compared with May 2024.
Mike Allen retweeted
Focus Ireland CEO Pat Dennigan said the “government’s current approach to homelessness is failing”.
jrnl.ie/6745360
Mike Allen retweeted
Focus Ireland CEO Pat Dennigan said the figures show "the Government's current approach to homelessness is failing".
"There needs to be far more urgency in the Government's response to help end this terrible human crisis," he added.
rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/062… via @rte
Just out of @DeptHousingIRL briefing on new rent regs. Important step forward with new 6 year secure tenancies. Grave concerns about impact of ‘market rent resets’ on low income (and mid-income!) renters, but welcome Minister’s view that HAP rates to be reviewed (at long last).
Mike Allen retweeted
Our Director of Advocacy, Communications, and Research @MikeAllenFI speaking in a panel discussion at the #ISHF25 in the Dublin Convention Centre.
The discussion followed an incredible speech by lecturer and activist @katrionaos about her experiences of overcoming poverty and how policy can change lives.
Mike Allen retweeted
Focus Ireland is proud to now provide 1,700 homes in Ireland through Focus Housing Association. The tour aims to tell the story of our work in housing over the years. #Endhomelessness #Focushousing
