letter from Dublin
Republic of Ireland housing crisis impacts churches
Lois McCrea
The housing crisis in the Republic of Ireland is worsening. There are currently 15,378 people (including 4,653 children) living in emergency homeless accommodation, which is the highest number on record. There are also many people unaccounted for in the homeless figures including single men sleeping rough, who are often the last group prioritised for emergency accommodation. Christian charities and food banks are doing phenomenal work across the country, especially in the main cities.
For those in a position to buy a house, the number of homes available for sale is at a record low and the shortage of properties available to buy, and also to rent, means that those who are able to secure a property have high mortgage repayments or are paying large amounts in rent.
Supporting working mums better
Lois McCrea
All mums work. Raising children is both rewarding and incredibly hard work.
The list of tasks is endless and includes cooking, cleaning, bathing, giving lifts, helping with homework, and numerous other precious moments involving listening, reading, teaching and talking to our children about God.
letter from Dublin
Traditional marriage teaching removed from curriculum
Lois McCrea
Of concern to evangelicals is the recently updated Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum which is taught in all secondary schools across the Republic of Ireland.
The new SPHE curriculum for junior cycle students (aged 12–15) was updated in September 2023. Students engage in 100 hours of SPHE teaching over three years and the first cohort of students is now in the second year of the programme. The senior cycle curriculum for students aged 16–19 was updated in September 2024 and covers 60 hours of teaching.
