18 Feabh 2014, 11:10
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade will hear from representatives of Habitat for Humanity (HfH) tomorrow, who will outline their self-help model in providing affordable housing in developing countries.
18 February 2014
Vincent Cunningham, Executive Director, HfH Ireland and Kebede Abebe, National Director, HfH Ethiopia will address the Committee on how the provision of housing can be best prioritised in a rapidly urbanising world.
Chairman of the Committee Pat Breen TD says: “Habitat for Humanity is a not-for-profit, Christian organisation that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action worldwide.Irish Aid has funded a number of Habitat for Humanity projects in Zambia since 2007, which have been aimed at securing shelter to the most vulnerable.
“The Committee presentation by HfH representatives tomorrow is expected to focus on what policy mix is most appropriate to secure shelter for the most vulnerable people in the developing world. Given the dramatic rise in numbers living in urban areas, innovative shelter programmes are an imperative, along with proper urban infrastructure. The Committee looks forward to engaging with HfH representatives on the immediate and longer term challenges in the area of housing provision.”
The meeting takes place tomorrow Wednesday 19 February at 2:30 pm in Committee Room 1, LH 2000 and can be viewed online here.
Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.
Media enquiries to:
Paul Hand,
Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade
Deputies:
Pat Breen, Fine Gael (Chairman)
Eric Byrne, Labour
Bernard Durkan, Fine Gael (Vice-Chairman)
Seán Crowe, Sinn Féin
Olivia Mitchell, Fine Gael
Gerald Nash, Labour
Dan Neville, Fine Gael
Brendan Smith, Fianna Fáil
Maureen O’Sullivan, Independent
Senators:
Deirdre Clune, Fine Gael
Mark Daly, Fianna Fáil
Lorraine Higgins, Labour
Michael Mullins, Fine Gael
David Norris, Independent
Jim Walsh, Fianna Fáil