The people of Roscrea have already responded in a kind and generous manner by welcoming hundreds of displaced people into their town. A direct provision centre already exists. Local factories and businesses employ large numbers of foreign nationals. Asylum seekers are accommodated in numerous houses around the town. As a result, medical services are pushed beyond their limit. The Garda station has been downgraded and has no overnight Garda presence. Schools in the town are already beyond capacity. Moves are under way to house 400 Ukrainian people in a former convent building. Roscrea is already overflowing. Services cannot cope with the increased population and it is the local people of Roscrea who are suffering as a result. The sheer scale and magnitude of this exercise will overwhelm services and infrastructure. The size of the proposed resettlement is completely out of proportion with the town's population. Councillor Lee and I have had several discussions with local groups. People understand that we have a moral obligation to assist but they are opposed to such a large influx of people with a high dependence on support services that do not exist. Will the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, confirm that a meeting will be held immediately with local groups and public representatives?

I thank the Deputy for his ongoing engagement on this. I recognise the very significant welcome that the town of Roscrea has given Ukrainians and international protection applicants. A former convent in Roscrea has been refurbished for Ukrainians fleeing the war. It is for Ukrainians - primarily family groups. It is to be phased in regarding its use with some over the summer, some in the latter part of the year and some in early 2024. We will need the capacity over the summer but any further use of this will depend on our needs in terms of Ukrainians arriving in the country, so we will continue to monitor that and the need for the further use of this facility. I am happy to arrange a meeting. We do our best to engage with communities on issues like this and are happy to follow up with the Deputy in terms of arranging a meeting with the Roscrea community.