Right to work for refugees
Deputy Ryan asked how promised legislation would allow refugees to work, and Deputy Healy-Rae raised concerns about local consultation over a proposed accommodation centre in Killarney. The Tánaiste said the Government aimed to implement the Supreme Court-related changes by late spring, facilitate the right to work for asylum seekers, and would pass on local concerns about engagement.
The Government has given a commitment to provide for the ability of refugees to work here, as was recommended by the Supreme Court. Can the Minister outline how he envisages that being introduced? When does he expect provisions to be put in place to allow refugees to work and what broad conditions will regulate it?
Comment on this
The Government committed to taking in 4,500 refugees. We are told that 55 men are being moved into Linden House on New Road in Killarney. There has been no consultation with the local authority or the Garda, whose station is on the same road. There are community schools and national schools, including the Presentation convent school and St. Brendan's College, on the same road. Some 55 men are being put into one house. There was uproar in the House after a television programme which highlighted large numbers of people staying in a single house in Dublin.
Comment on this
The Minister of State with responsibility for this, Deputy Stanton, is present. Will he consult with the community, the Garda and the local authority or will he take this high-handed action without giving local people a say in what is happening?
Comment on this
I assure the Deputy that, in accordance with my practice, I will not give an answer that might be regarded as high-handed. The residence the Deputy refers to was closed in 2011. Consideration is now being given to re-opening it. I do not have details on the local issues involved but I will be happy to convey the Deputy's concerns that there should be an engagement with local public representatives.