The housing organisation Cara is planning hostels with training facilities in Dublin, Cork and Limerick for young people who have left home.
The organisation, originally set up to provide shelter for homeless Irish people in Britain, has new headquarters in Limerick. The chairwoman, Ms Jan O'Sullivan, the Labour Party TD in Limerick East, said the young people's hostels, known as foyers, would cater for those aged 17 to 26 before they reach full independence. "We will have a certain level of educational facilities in the foyer but will also be involved with FAS courses."
Planning permission for a £3 million, 50-room foyer at St Mary's Street, Limerick, will be applied for shortly. A foyer is proposed for the Blackpool area of Cork and planning permission has been granted for a £10.3 million foyer
for the St Catherine's area, in the Liberties, Dublin. A sports centre will be attached along with a cafe and kitchen facilities. Local authorities are donating sites and funding is being provided by the Government.
The Minister of State with responsibility for housing and urban renewal, Mr Bobby Molloy, who opened the new Cara offices in Limerick yesterday, said that with the rapid growth of the economy, there was a need to ensure people had suitable accommodation. "I think when people see the foyer projects completed and the benefits that will follow from them, there will be a big demand for them in other areas."
Cara is also involved in voluntary housing schemes, projects for elderly people and in developing a rough sleepers' centre in Limerick city centre where alcoholics would receive treatment.
Mr Gearoid O Meachair, director of planning, said he understood the concerns of local businesses about the project but said it would make a positive contribution to society.