We use Google Analytics to see which pages are read and how the site is used, so we know what to improve. This only runs if you accept. See our privacy notice for details.

Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Supports for Ballaghaderreen refugees

Summary

Deputy Kerrane said Ballaghaderreen has taken in many refugees without adequate extra supports for services and the local community. The Minister of State said he would engage with Health and cite available community recognition funding, while noting additional support had already gone to the county.

I will ask the Minister about co-operation between Departments to support communities where refugees have arrived. Ballaghaderreen in my constituency is a prime example. More than 400 refugees and international protection families have arrived since 2017. This is a small, rural town that has seen zero supports and nothing additional for it. There are issues around healthcare and education, and additional resources are needed for the likes of the local family resource centre. This is not fair to the refugees who are arriving or on those already living in the town. I cannot understand why Departments cannot all do their bit in providing additional resources.

In 2017, a healthcare professional was to be put in what is called the Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre, EROC, in Ballaghaderreen to assist with Syrian refugees. That never happened. The promise was broken. There are two GPs in the town who are running waiting lists and cannot cope. I cannot understand why we just let this mess happen when Departments should step up. If they did so, we would avoid all the frustration in these towns.

Comment on this
Joe O'Brien Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development Green Party

I thank the Deputy. I am aware of the issue she raised. She forwarded correspondence to my office regarding it. I will flag a couple of points of note. A community recognition fund of €50 million is available through the Department of Rural and Community Development, although that does not address the specific issues raised by the Deputy. I will talk to the Minister of Health, Deputy Donnelly, regarding the healthcare issues, which are coming up quite a bit. My Department has supplied additional community resources to the county. We are looking at bumping up the level of engagement. The Department of the Taoiseach is now involved in developing a new form of community engagement as we go forward in the context of the current crisis. I acknowledge the pressures that Ballaghaderreen in particular is under.

Comment on this